Utility Alerts Residents To Massive East Austin Sewage Overflow

EAST AUSTIN, TEXAS — Austin Water officials gave details on a sanitary sewer overflow of more than 100,000 gallons detected last week, issuing a series of safety precautions to nearby residents relying on private wells as their water drinking source in the leak's aftermath.

The so-called "notification of sanitary sewer overflow" was issued on Wednesday (Jan. 9), five days after the overflow was detected. It occurred in a remote portion of Boggy Creek near Highway 183 on Jan. 4, and dispatched crews were able to stop the overflow and make needed repairs to the manhole, utility officials said.

Upon further analysis of the overflow, utility officials learned the overflow involved more than 100,000 gallons of sewage, Austin Water representatives said in a public advisory — a discovery that took utility officials by surprise.

"The initial estimate based on site conditions observed at the time of the overflow indicated the overflow was minor," officials wrote in the notification. "Upon further analysis of data from the collection system, the estimated overflow amount is > than 100,000 gallons."

Notwithstanding the volume, officials stressed the drinking supply was not compromised as a result of the massive overflow. Officials noted the regulators with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and those in downstream municipalities and utility districts were notified of the spill.

As an added precaution, utility officials issued a series of safety measures for residents reliant on private wells as their primary source of drinking water in the aftermath of the overflow:

• "Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-mile of the overflow site or within the potentially affected area should use only water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses including drinking, cooking, bathing, and tooth brushing. Individuals with private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if necessary, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling."
• "Persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use."
• "The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the overflow."
• "If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the overflow, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible."

Just two days before the sewage overflow occurred, Austin Water officials advised residents to report broken water lines, including the 24/7 hour line to report such leaks. The number to report such ruptures is (512) 972-1000, a line in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents also can check out the water leak response map to find out if the leak has already been reported at http://ow.ly/Ofr730ndZ3t.

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