The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on July 15 fined the city of Pflugerville for a March 3 wastewater spill into Gilleland Creek.

The fine from TCEQ carries a $33,000 price tag, according to Pflugerville Public Information Officer Maggie Holman. An estimated 3.4 million gallons of treated, chlorinated wastewater spilled into Gilleland Creek, heading downstream from the wastewater treatment plant, per an August 5 news release.

Data compiled by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department determined more than 500 fish were killed as a result of the wastewater spill. The spill was discovered during a daily inspection on March 4 at 7:45 a.m., and monitoring and repairs were administered throughout the several days following the spill, according to the release.

Repairs were made to the city's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, following the spill, per the release. The city also expanded its monitoring system through the addition of a secondary wireless monitoring system and flow detection sensor.

The city is currently "contesting the fine and proposing alternate means of restitution," according to the release.

While discussions with the TCEQ regarding the fine are underway, Holman said the city will not disclose a reason for contesting.