Lufkin fined nearly $200K for 14 wastewater violations

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality fined the City of Lufkin $193,813 for 14 wastewater violations found at the Hurricane Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to an agreed order.

The order states the state regulatory agency found the violations during October and December 2023, including seven unauthorized sewage overflows at Kit McConnico Ball Park and city lift stations.

• Aug. 30, 2022 — 2,200 gallons at Kit McConnico Park from a line break.
• Jan. 30, 2023 — Unknown amount at 125 Gaslight and Medical Parkway from inflow/infiltration.
• Aug. 22, 2023 — 50 gallons between Randybrook Drive and Paul Avenue from a grease blockage and a manhole break.
• Aug. 23, 2023 — 6,000 gallons at Ellen Troutman Lift Station from a valve break.
• Aug. 26, 2023 — Unknown amount at Martin Luther King Lift Station from a broken valve.
• Aug. 29, 2023 — 100 gallons at Martin Luther King Lift Station during pump servicing.
• Sept. 22, 2023 — 1,200 gallons at Kit McConnico Lift Station from power loss.

The order states that effluent limits were exceeded for ammonia nitrogen, total suspended solids and E. coli.

Total suspended solids is the measure of tiny, solid pieces of dirt, silt, sand, algae debris and other matter that float or remain suspended in water rather than dissolve into it, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The order also states three aeration blowers were inoperable, along with floating aerators, clarifier equipment, sludge tank aeration and lift station pumps and alarms.

The order cites meter flow inaccuracy, sampling and recordkeeping failures and foam discharging 200 feet downstream from an outfall at Hurricane Creek.

The penalty includes $38,762 deferred for expedited settlement and $155,051 offset to a blower replacement supplemental environmental project, according to the order.