Arlington Well Owners Warned After Major Spill

A rupture in a 30-inch pressurized wastewater pipeline in north Arlington, Texas, on July 4, resulted in the release of over 100,000 gallons of household wastewater. The spill occurred near Mirabella Boulevard. As a precaution, private well owners within half a mile of the break were advised to use distilled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

Domestic wastewater can contain harmful contaminants, posing potential health risks to those relying on private wells, which are not routinely monitored like municipal water supplies. The Trinity River Authority stated that the discharged wastewater was sufficiently diluted and did not threaten municipal drinking water or aquatic life. Service to customers remained uninterrupted.

Ending these precautionary measures for private wells depends on professional testing and disinfection. The authority is submitting final discharge volume calculations to state officials. The public was also warned to avoid contact with waste material, soil, and standing water near the affected area.