Staff report
Roughly a week after 117,000 gallons of wastewater spilled into the Bunton Branch, the city of Kyle March 31 announced it has completed cleanup efforts.
In a press release, Public Works Director Harper Wilder said the dissolved oxygen levels in the Bunton Branch creek returned to pre-event status.
Work has also been completed on the electrical system at the lift station that was knocked out during a storm on March 24. Crews are currently disassembling the pumps, pipes and other equipment used in the cleanup from a nearby landowner’s property.
Public Works crews also continue to monitor the lift station and creek. Kyle’s Division Manager – Treatment Operations, Jason Biemer, said while the cleanup is complete, the city continues to work.
“Our crews will continue to visually examine the lift station and the creek daily,” he said.
Biemer added he is awaiting information from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding a decision on the possibility of being fined for the spill.
It is possible there will be a fine from the Texas Parks and Wildlife due to the resulting fish kill. The city also plans to restock the fish in the creek.
“Our staff worked quickly and efficiently to mitigate any further issues,” Wilder said.
The city began clean up efforts following a mechanical failure at the Southlake Lift Station that was caused by storms. The spill was located from a manhole north of the Southlake Lift Station.
According to the city, the spill was contained via construction of a temporary levy to prevent additional water from entering the affected area.
The spill had no impact on the city’s drinking water supplies.
On March 25, the Kyle City Council in an emergency meeting appropriated up to $50,000 to go toward cleaning up the spill. The city also worked in coordination with TCEQ and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
City Manager Scott Sellers said the cleanup effort was commendable.
“A quick, coordinated effort among multiple city departments and state agencies resulted in minimizing further issues and getting the creek back to healthy oxygen levels,” he said.
