AUSTIN — Heavy rainfall this week has affected operations at the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, causing Austin Water to urge some to begin boiling their drinking water.
The rainfall as caused higher levels of flood water to enter the wastewater collection system served by the plant located at 7113 FM 969. Nearly 830,000 gallons of wastewater was rerouted through the plant to get preliminary and primary treatment and disinfection.
Austin Water said the partially treated wastewater accounted for less than one percent of total wastewater coupled with fully treated wastewater before being discharged into the Colorado River at the discharge point located close to Delwau Lane.
This event has not affected Austin's drinking supply, Austin Water said. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, in addition to downstream municipalities and utility districts, have been notified.
Officials with Austin Water urge the following:
- People who use private drinking water supply wells within half a mile of the overflow site or within the potentially affected area should only use water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses.
- Those with private water wells should have their wells tested and disinfected before ceasing to distill or boil.
- Citizens who buy water from a public water supply can contact their water supply distributor to see if their water is safe for personal use.
- People should avoid contact with waste material, soil or water in the area potentially affected by the overflow.
- If one comes into contact with waste material, soil or water potentially affected by the overflow, they should bathe and wash their clothes thoroughly.
