Texas officials are urging Georgetown residents to stay away from the San Gabriel River after a massive sewage spill contaminated the waterway.
City water utility crews found the overflow Monday at approximately 10 a.m. while checking on unusual conditions at a lift station, CBS Austin reported. The investigation revealed a broken 42-inch wastewater pipe in the San Gabriel River’s south fork roughly a quarter mile to Interstate 35’s west.
More than 100,000 gallons of untreated sewage poured into the river, according to a City of Georgetown post on Facebook. Officials closed a portion of the South San Gabriel River Trail and warned the public to avoid water in San Gabriel Park and Blue Hole Park. (RELATED: Deadly Texas Flood Kills 27 As Dozens Of Girls Go Missing From Christian Summer Camp)
“I want to reassure our water customers that our water remains safe for consumption,” said City Manager David Morgan, CBS Austin reported. “Please avoid the area and river water through the San Gabriel and Blue Hole parks while we work to isolate and repair the wastewater line.”
Emergency crews responded to the scene and continue repair work. The city reported the incident to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Officials have not determined when or why the line failed.
The city issued additional guidance for private well owners in its Facebook post. Locals with wells within half a mile of the spill site should employ only boiled or distilled water for drinking, cooking, showing and brushing their teeth. Officials also advised well owners to test and, if required, disinfect their water before resuming normal use.
The city warned residents to keep pets out of the river and avoid swimming, wading or fishing until further notice.