Residents in South Dallas are criticizing the city over a leak they said has been pouring into the street for months, leaving behind standing water without much of a response.
The issue is not just wasted water. The area has become a sinkhole hazard and another sign of deteriorating infrastructure.
Here's what to know
Shenita Cleveland (@shenitacleveland), a Dallas activist, posted a TikTok on Sept. 17 after a viewer directed her to Parnell Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. She filmed a large hole filled with water and said residents had repeatedly sought help.
@shenitacleveland Residents say the emergency water leak has been running since August!! They've made numerous 311 calls and they've only brought a couple cones, and put a machine in the water to rid of the smell!! What a waste of water bill 💸 Who's paying for this again?? I called them and reached out to the city manager's office for immediate relief ‼️✨ #lets #beautify #dallas #today @mayorofdallas @cityofdallas ♬ original sound - ShenitaCleveland 🦋
"Residents say the emergency water leak has been running since August!!" Cleveland wrote.
She also said residents had made "numerous 311 calls" and that officials had "only brought a couple cones and put a machine in the water to get rid of the smell!!"
Safety concerns also surfaced in the comments.
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"A child could fall in there!! You can tell someone has been playing around there. Thank you, Shenita," one commenter wrote.
Another user said, "And they are ripping us off on our water bills since they upgraded the system."
More background
In the video, Cleveland connected the condition of the site to frustrations about quality of life in South Dallas, arguing that residents were being left to deal with the infrastructure failure.
She also mentioned the odor at the scene and what people said had been happening there.
"I also hear that the homeless are bathing in this and washing their clothes," Cleveland said.
Another commenter said the leak had been there "since last year."
What's being done?
Cleveland called the situation "unacceptable." She showed the leak had created a deep sinkhole and added that she had contacted the city manager's office for "immediate relief."
Where can I learn more?
Residents in South Dallas aren't the only ones dealing with water problems and neglected infrastructure. These stories look at flooding, utility disputes, and dirty water in other communities.
• In Potosi, residents fought a $4,500 meter demand and threats to shut off water.
• After a neighbor dug a trench, one homeowner watched persistent yard flooding spread and sought city help.
• A homeowner's concrete blockage left a community trapped by floodwaters after stormwater infrastructure failed.
• In coastal Georgia, flooded streets repeatedly carried sewer spills into neighborhoods during heavy storms.
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