Power Outage Causes 100K-Gallon Wastewater Dump In North Austin

AUSTIN, TX — A power failure at a North Austin wastewater treatment plant on Friday has resulted in an overflow of untreated water of about 100,000 gallons, prompting warnings to area residents.

Austin Water officials said the power failure spurred by cold weather occurred Friday morning at the Texas Plume Lift Station at 8431 Spicewood Springs. Since then, crews are working to stop and contain the spill.

Utility officials assured the wastewater dump has not affected the city's drinking water supply, but the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulatory agency has been notified. Austin Water officials issued guidance to customers as they work to control the spill continue:

• Homeowners 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. Those with private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if necessary, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling.
• Those purchasing water from another 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.
• Those coming into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible‎.

Austin Water is the city’s water and wastewater utility serving more than 1 million residents in the Austin metropolitan area across more than 548 square miles.

This is a developing story. Patch will update when more details are known.