Clog at Breckenridge sewer plant results in thousands of gallons of partially treated sewage discharged into Gunsolus Creek
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
A clog at the City of Breckenridge’s wastewater treatment plant has led to a discharge of thousands of gallons of partially treated sewage into Gunsolus Creek just north of Breckenridge.
According to a media advisory from Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrop this evening, the discharge took place approximately 6,000 feet north-northeast of the intersection of U.S. Highway 180 and U.S. Highway 183, and approximately 1,000 feet east of U.S. Highway 183, in Stephens County.
Boaters paddle in Gunsolus Creek, near the point where the City of Breckenridge discharged “partially treated” wastewater after a clog at the treatment plant required the sludge to be discharged into the creek. The boaters indicated they were unaware of the situation and moved past the area when informed. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
The location is where the City normally discharges treated sewer water into the creek. However, at about 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, according to the advisory, the sludge line inside the clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant was clogged.
“Crews needed to unclog the sludge line which precipitated the shut down and draining of partially treated water from the clarifier,” the statement said. “No fish kills were noted. The estimated discharge is between 100,000-150,000 gallons.”
A report has been filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), according to the advisory.
On Saturday evening, April 25, the Breckenridge Texan was on the site where the partially treated water had been discharged into the creek. A property owner through whose land the creek runs, showed Publisher Tony Pilkington sewage-related trash and other solid waste particles in the water.
Additionally, the area was affected by sewer odors.
While Pilkington and the property owner were on the scene, three people with fishing poles were paddling in small, inflatable boats in the creek near the discharge pipe. They indicated that they were unaware of the untreated/partially treated wastewater in the area.
Gunsolus Creek is part of a system of creeks, including Hubbard Creek, that feed into the Brazos River north/northeast of Breckenridge.
The initial media advisory said that “crews have sanitized the area as well as everything downstream with chlorine.” The Breckenridge Texan asked Northrop to clarify how the chlorine was administered and if it was done under the guidance of state and/or local authorities.
“We are and have been in communication with TCEQ,” Northrop said in a follow-up email. “Crews have sprayed our area at the WWTP and have been trying to get a hold of the property owner to get permission to go on their property and continue spraying, they have left several messages.
“To be clear, we sanitize with a product called cherry blossom. We don’t ‘spray or sanitize’ with chlorine,” she said in another email.
Multiple “cherry blossom” products are described online as industrial strength odor control/deodorizers but not as sanitizers or disinfectants.
A property owner in the vicinity of the City of Breckenridge’s wastewater discharge pipe shows a feminine hygiene package that he fished out of the creek where partially treated wastewater was released on Friday following a clog at the treatment plant. There were numerous similar packages and other solid waste items in the creek on Saturday evening. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
This area of Gunsolus Creek is located north-northeast of Breckenridge and has been affected by the discharge of partially treated wastewater after a clog at the treatment plant. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Hygiene packaging and other sewage-related trash and solid waste items were visible in the Gunsolus Creek on Saturday evening, April 25, at a spot where the City of Breckenridge normally discharges treated wastewater. A problem at the wastewater treatment plant led to partially treated wastewater being discharged into the creek. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
