On September 9, 2025, Austin Water reported an unauthorized discharge of approximately 523,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater at the Wildhorse Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant in Manor, Texas. The incident was discovered around 6:00am and the discharge reached an unnamed tributary of Gilleland Creek.
According to Austin Water, the discharge has been contained and there is no impact to fish or wildlife. The affected area is not accessible to vehicles or pedestrians. Clean-up operations are ongoing as the utility coordinates with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Austin Watershed Protection for site assessment and remediation.
Austin Water confirmed that this event has not impacted the city’s drinking water supply.
Officials have advised residents using private drinking water wells within a half-mile of the overflow site or in potentially affected areas to distill or boil their water for at least one minute before use for drinking, cooking, bathing, or tooth brushing. They also recommend testing and disinfecting well water before discontinuing these precautions. Those who purchase water from another public supplier should check with their distributor regarding safety.
The public is advised to avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the potentially affected area. Anyone who comes into contact with contaminated material should bathe and wash clothing thoroughly as soon as possible.
“Austin Water officials urge precaution:
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 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.
If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible.”
