Austin Releases Water Quality Improving; Mayor Adler Issues Local State Of Disaster

With no rain in the forecast and floodwaters slowing, water quality in the lakes is improving—settling debris, silt and mud — and allowing water plants to treat more water.

A boil water notice and emergency conservation are in place for a fifth day for all Austin Water customers.

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center remains activated and continues to work with staff from Austin Water, the Lower Colorado River Authority, and the State of Texas to monitor water conditions and the situation at the Highland Lakes.

As a result of prolonged flooding and the city-wide boil water notice, Mayor Steve Adler issued a Local State of Disaster, which will assist in the City’s recovery phase and in seeking reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

With no rain in the forecast and floodwaters slowing, water quality in the lakes is improving—settling debris, silt and mud — and allowing water plants to treat more water. The water treatment system is strengthening thanks to the reductions in water use by the Austin community and improving raw water quality.

Storage water reservoirs are at about 50 percent storage and are continuing to climb. More water testing and monitoring will still be done but the reductions in water use by the Austin community have helped Austin Water make gains and better stabilize the water treatment system.

Emergency water conservation is still in place and the public is still being asked to avoid water use that is not completely necessary into the weekend.

Any water used for drinking or cooking should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil for three minutes. In lieu of boiling water, residents may use bottled water. Public water distribution sites continue to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are located at:

• Walnut Creek Park (12138 N Lamar Blvd)
• City of Austin Warehouse, formerly Home Depot (7211 N IH 35 Svrd NB)
• Roy G. Guerrero Park (400 Grove Blvd)
• Onion Creek Soccer Complex (5600 E William Cannon Dr)
• Dick Nichols Park (8011 Beckett Rd)
• Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex (10211 W. Parmer Ln) **Closing at 5 p.m. on Friday**
• Circuit of the Americas (9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd)

Pick up will be located at the driveway entrance of the sites. Yesterday, all seven sites served a combined 16,785 vehicles, gave out 40,232 cases of bottled water, which is 127,133 gallons.

The following city facilities and parks remain closed:

• Bartholomew Pool
• Springwoods Pool
• Red Bud Isle and Red Bud Trail
• Butler/Liz Carpenter fountains
• Barton Springs Pool
• Walsh Boat Landing
• Boating concessions on Lady Bird Lake
• Emma Long Park restrooms/water (Park remains open and port-a-potties are available for campers.)
• Water fountains throughout park system

A waterway ban for Lake Austin and Lake Travis is still in effect and will be reevaluated on Monday, Oct. 29.

LCRA has indicated Lake Buchanan will be reopened for public use today at noon. Lakes Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls and Travis will remain closed until at least Tuesday, Oct. 30.

Austin Public Health staff has worked with restaurant partners to identify alternative approaches to hand washing and dish washing practices that are equally safe. These alternatives procedures are endorsed by the Austin Health Authority and are consistent with best practices advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:

• Commercial dishwashers providing a hot water rinse (165°F – 180°F) or a chemical sanitizing cycle may be used. Machines must be properly maintained and operated as required by Texas Food Establishment Rules. Air-dry all wares after sanitizing.
   
• All food handlers handling or preparing foods are required to wash hands (using existing water sources) as required by the Texas Food Establishment Rules, then apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, followed by the donning of single use (disposable) gloves. No bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods is allowed.

For the latest information, call 3-1-1, visit austintexas.gov/Boilh2o or follow @austintexasgov on social media.