Richardson Creek has been restored to its natural state after runoff from a carwash caused it to turn red

The cause behind the red hue of a creek in Richardson has been identified.

According to the city, soap discharged from a nearby carwash resulted in the reddish coloration of Floyd Branch Creek near Arapaho and West Shore Drive.

Health investigators determined that the spill, originating from the nearby carwash, was non-hazardous.

In response, the city enlisted the help of an environmental company to address the situation. Throughout the night, efforts were made to block the flow of creek water to contain the spill. Additionally, pumps were utilized to extract over 21,000 gallons of water.

As of Monday afternoon, the city reported that the spill had been effectively cleaned, with water quality tests indicating normal results. While there may still be residual visual evidence of the spill, the impacts were minimized, and the natural ecosystem’s water quality has been confirmed to meet safety standards. The Richardson Health Department will continue to monitor the creek area for any potential environmental impacts.

Individuals with inquiries are encouraged to reach out to the Richardson Health Department at AskRichardsonHealth@cor.gov.