Wastewater
Wastewater Treatment Utilities & Facilities
The City of Garland owns and operates two state-of-the-art advanced biological wastewater treatment facilities. The Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) receives wastewater from the east side of Garland and the cities of Rowlett and Sachse. The Duck Creek WWTP receives wastewater from the west side of Garland, and from portions of Dallas, Richardson and Sunnyvale.
Wastewater is collected from the Duck Creek Basin and the Rowlett Creek Basin. Once collected, the wastewater is treated at the Rowlett Creek or Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). State certified technicians operate both facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
In addition to wastewater treatment, the utility also provides technical services which include Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) (PDF) recognized Laboratory and Industrial Pre-Treatment operations.
Staff Efforts
The Wastewater division has 102 full-time employees who are responsible for ensuring that the “used” water that leaves your house or business gets safely transported and properly treated every single day of the year. On the average, these facilities treat approximately 34 million gallons of wastewater every day. The department employees do it with such precision and dedication that they continually earn prestigious awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and other industry associations.
AWARDS & HONORS
Over the past several years, the Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (DCWWTP) and the Rowlett Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (RCWWTP) have been racking up state and national awards for safety and performance. “We have a continued focus on safety and are always finding new ways to improve our existing programs,” says Alex Stuart, Duck Creek Plant Superintendent. “The state and national awards are clear evidence of the dedication and hard work of our wastewater staff," adds Malcolm Parker, Rowlett Creek Plant Superintendent.
YEAR | AWARD |
| 2021 | DCWWTP won the 2021 WEAT Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award (Category 3) Garland Water Utilities received the NACWA National Environmental Achievement Award for the "Public Information & Education: E-Media" category for their Story Map "We Keep It Flowing, Coming or Going" RCWWTP is awarded the 2021 WEF Operational and Design Excellence Safety Award. |
2020 | DCWWTP won the NACWA Platinum award for achieving 100% compliance during the last six (6) years (2014 through 2019) with all TPDES permit requirements. These awards are given to wastewater treatment facilities for their outstanding compliance records and excellence in wastewater treatment. DCWWTP won the 2020 WEAT Plant of the Year Award (Category 3) RCWWTP won the NACWA National Environmental Achievement Awards (NEAA) award for the “Operations & Environmental Performance” category, winning on the merits of the bio-solids rehabilitation and odor control project The Industrial Pretreatment Group’s industrial pretreatment newsletter was the overall winner for a printed publication in the NACWA NEAA “Public Information & Education” category |
2019 | DCWWTP received the NACWA Platinum5 award for achieving 100% compliance during the last five (5) years (2014 through 2018) with all TPDES permit requirements RCWWTP won the 2019 Engineering News Records Best Project Award for the Biosolids Odor Control Project DCWWTP won the TWUA R.B. “Bob” Batchelor Memorial Safety Award for their safety record of 1,529 days with no loss time incidents. |
2018 | The Wastewater Treatment Department received Water Environment Federation (WEF) Safety Award DCWWTP received the NACWA Gold award for achieving 100% compliance during 2017 with all TPDES permit requirements DCWWTP won 2018 Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year Award (Category 3) for 100% environmental compliance and operational safety. This award is given to a plant that has consistently exhibited outstanding performance of daily activities beyond the normal call of duty. DCWWTP won Water Environment Federation George W Burke Jr. Award. Honors municipal and industrial wastewater facilities for active and effective safety programs at the national level. RCWWTP received the NACWA Gold award for achieving 100% compliance during 2017 with all TPDES permit requirements |
2017 | DCWWTP received the NACWA Gold award for achieving 100% compliance during 2016 with all TPDES permit requirements RCWWTP received the NACWA Silver award for achieving no more than five permit exceedances during 2016 with all TPDES permit requirements |
2016 | DCWWTP received the NACWA Gold award for achieving 100% compliance during 2015 with all TPDES permit requirements |
2015 | DCWWTP received the NACWA Gold award for achieving 100% compliance during 2014 with all TPDES permit requirements RCWWTP received the NACWA Gold award for achieving 100% compliance during 2014 with all TPDES permit requirements |
In honor of the excellent efforts of these dedicated employees, we ask you to...
Think Before You Flush
The City of Garland’s wastewater treatment plants receive all of the "used" water from every indoor drain and toilet in the city. You can imagine what a big task it is to screen and treat this water. Our system (and your pipes) can be damaged when toilets are used for anything other than the 3 P’s (toilet paper, pee and poop). Toilet paper is designed to breakdown quickly to prevent pipes from clogging. Everything else is TRASH.
Remember, the pipes that take away wastewater from your home are usually only 2 to 3 inches in diameter. Flushing anything else (any kind of personal hygiene wipes, dental floss, feminine products, cotton swabs, etc.) can lead to plumbing problems at home and at our treatment plants. The City of Garland Water Utilities Department thanks you for your help in preventing sewer system blockages.
Defend Your Drains
Do you have a slow running drain? Do your sinks or bathtubs back up with dirty water? The problem might be a clogged sewer line. Defend your drains (and sewer pipes). Never let fats, grease or oils go down the kitchen sink.
RECYCLE THE FATS/OILS/GREASE FROM YOUR KITCHEN! Even small amounts can cause plumbing blockages for your pipes as well as the city's sewer system. And using hot soapy water won't push that grease very far through the pipes.
Fats/Oils/Grease (fondly referred to as FOG) can be easily recycled at the Garland Recycling Center or one of the many drop-off locations across the metroplex.
Learn more about Defending Your Drains.