Repairs are underway to a sewer main that has resulted in an unauthorized discharge of 750,000 gallons of untreated wastewater located at a manhole immediately to the east of East Amarillo Creek between West Chaparral Road and East Chaparral Road.
Wastewater has reached East Amarillo Creek and possibly flowing towards Thomspon Park Lake. Laboratory tests will be conducted for any possible levels of contamination.
The City of Amarillo Water Utilities Department was notified of the unauthorized discharge at 11:30 a.m. Friday (September 11) and immediately dispatched personnel to the location. The crews were able to stop the unauthorized discharge at 3:25 p.m. Repair work is still needed and ongoing.
As the wastewater has travelled into the waterway of East Amarillo Creek, it is advised that all recreational contact with the waterbody of Thompson Park Lake and East Amarillo Creek between West Chaparral Road and W Hastings Avenue be temporarily discontinued. Recreational contact includes activities such as wading, paddling, kayaking or fishing.
Site remediation has begun and the repair location has been barricaded for public safety. Laboratory samples will be collected routinely following the completion of the repair to monitor any environmental impacts.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified of the spill and remediation efforts are being conducted by City of Amarillo Wastewater Collections personnel.