Austin Water crews responded to a domestic wastewater overflow at a public lift station located at 13625 Coomer Path in Pflugerville, Texas. The incident was discovered at 9:50 a.m. on Monday, December 22, and was stopped later that morning. Cleanup efforts revealed the full extent of the spill, which has been reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
According to Austin Water, an equipment failure led to approximately 198,000 gallons of domestic wastewater overflowing into a tributary of Gilliland Creek and continuing downstream to the Cameron Road crossing. The overflow resulted in a fish kill in the affected water body. Austin Water is working with Austin Watershed Protection to assess environmental impacts.
As a precaution, property owners along the creek are advised to keep livestock and pets away from the area until restoration is complete. Cleanup and restoration work by Austin Water crews will continue as needed.
Officials stated that this incident has not impacted Austin’s public drinking water supply provided by Austin Water. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified about the situation.
Austin Water officials urge:
“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.”
