Update May 24th: WTCPUA commenced a second controlled treated effluent spill
May 20, 2016—The West Travis County Public Utility Agency (WTCPUA) commenced a controlled treated effluent spill at its Bohls Wastewater Treatment facility at 8:00 am on Thursday, May 19, 2016, due to extended heavy rainfalls.
The controlled spill is located at WTCPUA’s Bohls treated effluent pond located at 12900 Bee Cave Parkway in Bee Cave, Texas. The WTCPUA has taken actions to ensure that there is no threat to the health and safety of the public. The WTCPUA is distributing overflows from the spill to uninhabited and undeveloped conservation lands in the City of Austin Conservatory and West Travis County MUD 5 conservation properties. In addition, increased water quality is under constant monitoring within the spillage area. While unanticipated at this time, the WTCPUA will initiate clean up activities, if needed.
The estimated volume of the spill is anticipated to be less than 800,000 gallons of high quality-domestic treated effluent. The WTCPUA advises the following precautions:
1) Persons using private drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-mile of the spill site or within the potentially affected area should use only water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses including drinking, cooking, bathing, and tooth brushing. Individuals with private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if necessary, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling.
2) Persons who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal use.
3) The public should avoid contact with waste material, soil, or water in the area potentially affected by the spill.
4) If the public comes into contact with waste material, soil, or water potentially affected by the spill, they should bathe and wash clothes thoroughly as soon as possible.
The WTCPUA has also already notified the appropriate local government officials and the TCEQ regional office of the controlled spill. The need for the controlled spill will decrease as rains subside.
Please contact Don Rauschuber, WTCPUA General Manager, at generalmanager@wtcpua.orgor 512/263-0100 for further information.
About the PUA: The PUA is a public water and wastewater utility that serves western Travis and northern Hays counties. The Agency provides water and sewer services to an estimated population of 25,000 persons. The PUA serves an area of approximately 225 square miles that includes more than 260 miles of pipeline.
Media Contact:
Don Rauschuber
General Manager
West Travis County PUA
(512) 263-0100