Heavy rainfall leads to City of Dallas sanitary sewer overflow
(May 1, 2025) Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) reports that recent heavy rainfall caused sanitary sewer overflows at several locations throughout the city. Three major drainage basins were affected, and more information can be found here.
“The overflows were primarily caused by inflow and infiltration (I&I) of stormwater into the City of Dallas wastewater collection system,” said DWU Deputy Director Zachary Peoples. “None of the overflows of diluted wastewater have affected the city’s water supply.” Please click here for a list of individual overflow locations within the affected drainage basins. DWU crews are monitoring and performing cleanup efforts at each overflow location.
DWU staff has initiated standard operating protocols for sanitary sewer overflows that involve waterways within the city limits. Staff has been monitoring the conditions of and sampling the water quality in Five Mile Creek. Sampling includes field and lab tests for parameters such as pH levels, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, ammonia, phosphorous, nitrates, turbidity, and E. coli.
DWU is complying with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulatory requirements related to sanitary sewer overflows. DWU customers should not be concerned when using water, as at no time was the city’s water system affected by these sewer overflows.
Although there is no danger to the water supply, the public is reminded to avoid contact with waste material, soil or water in any of the affected areas. If the public encounters waste material, soil or water potentially affected by the spills, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly.
Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within a half-mile of the spill sites or within the potentially impacted areas should only use water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses including drinking, cooking, bathing and tooth brushing.
Individuals with private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if necessary, before discontinuing distillation or boiling. Persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use.
TCEQ Form for DWU Public Notification – May 1, 2025
DWU Wet Weather SSO Report – April 30, 2025
