Authorities said everyone needs to avoid contact with water in San Gabriel Park and Blue Hole Park. Owners should keep pets out of the water.
GEORGETOWN, Texas — Crews in Georgetown are making emergency repairs after a wastewater line failure.
They believe more than 100,000 gallons of untreated wastewater has overflowed into the south fork of the San Gabriel River. Crews discovered the problem on Monday morning.
On Tuesday, authorities told KVUE there’s a problem with a 42-inch wastewater line located in the south fork of the San Gabriel River, west of Interstate 35 behind the Wolf Ranch Shopping Center.
Crews have found untreated wastewater at the site of the line failure, as well as downstream. Because of that, a section of the South San Gabriel River Trail is closed.
Authorities said everyone needs to avoid contact with water in San Gabriel Park and Blue Hole Park. Owners should keep pets out of the water.
The city is reporting the spill to state authorities and will continue to provide updates to TCEQ and the public as available.
City leaders say the issue is not affecting the drinking water in Georgetown.
“I want to reassure our water customers that our water remains safe for consumption,” Georgetown City Manager David Morgan said. “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.”
Residents with private drinking water wells within a half mile of the overflow site or in the potentially affected area should use only distilled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, bathing and brushing teeth. Water should stay at a rolling boil for at least one minute. Well water should also be tested and disinfected if necessary before stopping boiling or distillation.
More information can be found on the city of Georgetown website.