Austin Water crews are addressing a domestic wastewater overflow from a sanitary sewer manhole near the 5000 block of Creek Bend Drive. Initial assessments reveal that over 100,000 gallons of wastewater spilled into a dry tributary segment of Williamson Creek. Since this tributary is usually dry, no fish were present, and the spill did not reach Williamson Creek.
The overflow was discovered at 11:53 a.m. on December 10 and was caused by debris in the line, which has since been cleared. Austin Water crews stopped the overflow by 1:47 p.m. Efforts to clean and restore the site began in the evening and will continue until completion.
The incident has not impacted Austin's drinking water supply. The Texas Commission Environmental Quality has been informed about the situation.
Austin Water officials advise individuals using private drinking water supply wells within half a mile of the overflow site or potentially affected area to use only distilled or boiled water for personal uses such as drinking, cooking, bathing, and tooth brushing. They recommend testing and disinfecting well water if necessary before stopping distillation or boiling.
For those who purchase water from another public supplier, it is advised to contact their distributor to ensure safety for personal use. The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in areas potentially affected by the overflow. If contact occurs, thorough bathing and washing of clothes are recommended immediately.