THE CURIOUS CASE OF SANDBRANCH
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Dates2018 - 2019
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Author
- Topics Contemporary Issues, Editorial, Documentary
- Location Texas, United States
THE CURIOUS CASE OF SANDBRANCH is a documentation of a small community in south Dallas County, Texas that has never had running water, trash services, sewage services, emergency services, or grocery stores. It is 15 miles from downtown Dallas, one of the wealthiest cities in America.
RICHARD SHARUM: THE CURIOUS CASE OF SAND BRANCH
The story of Sand Branch is complicated. It is currently the poorest unincorporated town in Dallas County, situated only 14 miles southeast of downtown Dallas, TX, the fifth-wealthiest city in America. It is comprised of a quiet but guarded people who, since 1878, have lived without running water, sewage, trash, or emergency services. It is also considered a food desert with the nearest option for groceries 7 miles away.
Ironically, in 1964 Dallas constructed and opened a wastewater treatment plant on the NW edge of Sand Branch, only feet from housing. As part of the treatment process, remaining biosolid sludge was and is buried throughout the 3,000 acre property using “disposal fields”. These fields are surrounded by large ponds that collect soil runoff from rainstorms, the largest of which cradle the town’s border.
Without running water, residents are forced to live off of well water for both personal use and for livestock. The groundwater used by the residents of Sand Branch was tested by Texas A&M scientists in 2016 and was found to have been highly contaminated and unsafe for drinking, cooking, and even bathing due to high concentrations of toxicity. The residents blame the plant.
Also, in 1989 Dallas County cited FEMA designating Sand Branch a flood zone and initiated a “no-construction” rule for the residents there. This also includes improving existing structures, and as a result, housing is dilapidated and crumbling. Their only other option to rebuilding is to leave, which is what the city advocates. With an aging population that averages 68 years old with all under the poverty line, seasonal extremes during summer and winter months are becoming dangerous. Research has shown no records of flooding in Sand Branch since its founding 140 years ago. In fact, this Sept and Oct. saw record flooding in North Texas, with Sand Branch remaining unscathed.
My goal for this story is to seek national publication.
