North Austin News

Austin Water crews responded to a complaint of a possible Sanitary Sewer Overflow near 320 Heartwood Dr. on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 9:30 a.m. Preliminary findings indicated that over 100 gallons were spilled in the vicinity of the site reported to Austin Water.

Further investigation conducted from Jan. 24 to Jan. 29 revealed that the sanitary sewer overflow was caused by infiltration and inflow resulting from damage to an upstream manhole. This damage was likely caused by heavy rains and storms that the Austin area recently experienced. Flow meters in the area were used on Jan. 29 to estimate that over 800,900 gallons of rainwater from Williamson Creek entered Austin Water's sanitary sewer system and mixed with the wastewater, triggering this public notification for the sanitary sewer overflow. The rainwater was captured in Austin Water's sanitary sewer system and eventually flowed into the South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.

"This incident was the result of heavy rains and storms that caused damage to an upstream manhole, leading to a sanitary sewer overflow," said an Austin Water spokesperson.

It is important to note that this sanitary sewer overflow has not affected Austin's drinking water supply. Officials with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) were notified of the situation on Jan. 25.

"We have been in contact with Austin Water regarding the sanitary sewer overflow near 320 Heartwood Dr.," said a representative from the TCEQ.

Austin Water officials urge residents to contact the Austin Water Public Information Office at AWPublicInformation@austintexas.gov if they have any questions regarding the incident.