Austin Water Distribution: 10 Sites Open Across City

AUSTIN, TX — The City of Austin has lifted its boil water notice for residents in its central service zones, but water in its northern and southern zones remained unsafe to drink as of Monday morning, city officials said.

For residents whose tap water remains undrinkable, free bottled water is available at 10 locations across the city.

The city said the distribution sites will offer water on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Each pickup will consist of one case of water.

The city said the sites are intended to serve the most vulnerable residents of Austin, including those who cannot purchase or boil water. Residents who are able to buy bottled water at a store are asked to do so.

Cases of water will be handed out to people who show up both in a car and on foot. Residents who show up in cars should keep their trunk open and doors unlocked so volunteers can place a case of water in the vehicle.

People picking up on foot are asked to bring a cart or carrier large enough to carry a case of water.

When possible, residents are asked to recycle single-use plastic bottles and jugs instead of throwing them in the trash.

The distribution site at Austin Community College: Pinnacle Campus, 7748 Highway 290 West, will begin handing out water at 9 a.m.

Water distribution will begin at 11 a.m. for these sites:

• Nelson Field (7105 Berkman Dr., 78752)
• Onion Creek Soccer Complex (5600 E. William Cannon Dr., 78744)
• Roy G. Guerrero Park (400 Grove Blvd, 78741)
• ACC Highland Mall Parking Lot (E. Highland Mall Blvd, 78752)
• Garrison Park (6001 Menchaca Rd., 78745)
• Lakeline Station (13625 Lyndhurst Blvd, 78717)
• Walnut Creek Park (12138 N. Lamar Blvd, 78753)
• Zilker Park (2301 Barton Springs Rd., 78746)
• Anderson High School (8403 Mesa Dr., 78759)

As of Sunday evening, the city had distributed over 69,000 cases of water across Austin. Of those supplies, some 17,000 cases went shelters and other critical facilities, including hospitals.

Another 14,448 cases of water had been distributed to vulnerable populations through the city's partners, and just over 19,000 had been distributed through the city's distribution sites.

In a news conference on Friday, Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk said the city has purchased a million gallons of water from neighboring states. The bottled water is to be paired with donated water supplies and an initial delivery of 36 pallets of bottles from FEMA and distributed across the community.

According to Austin Water’s outage map, normal water operations have resumed in the central zone, meaning water is drinkable and has consistent pressure.

Still, residents are reminded to conserve supplies as Austin Water works to restore service to outlying areas.

The city said Monday morning that customers should not water their lawns, wash vehicles, wash pavement, fill pools or spas or add water to decorative ponds or fountains.

The map indicates that residents in the north, northwest A and northwest B water supply zones are still experiencing low pressure, along with those in the south, southwest A and southwest B zones.

Water outages are still dominant in the northwest C and southwest C zones.

For residents outside of the central zones, variations in water pressure and discolored water are to be expected before water returns to normal.

The city has not established when it will lift its boil water notice for those outside of the central zones. In the meantime, water used for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth should be kept at a vigorous boil for two minutes.