A new trail is open in Bull Creek Park, but the Health Department says don't get in the water.

The water is contaminated, yet many who visit don't know that the water is tainted.

"The water is not good. It has got too much bacteria, so you need to not go in the water," warned Jane Leifeste at Bull Creek.

Leifeste says her family has enjoyed the water on Bull Creek trails for years. She never knew the water was contaminated.

"Sewage, oh my gosh, well we've just always swum here and have never known," said Leifeste.

In September a sewage spill flowed into the creek. The Austin Health Department posted signs warning visitors to stay out.

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"It's just a common sign that says it's contaminated, but what does that mean?" said park visitor, PJ Kerr.

According to the Health Department it means harmful bacteria levels are high and could make swimmers sick. Fecalcoliform numbers are about twice as high as normal.

"It's one of the only dog parks that has water to bring your dog to so what are you going to do?" said Kerr.

Some say they'll avoid the water.

"Yeah, it's frightening, I don't want the kids to get sick swimming out here…obviously we're not going to get in the water anymore out here, yeah for sure,” said Eric Skrudland, park visitor.

"I'll be missing this place for a long time," said Dominic Bugge, park visitor.

There's extra concern with the water contamination now that a new trail on Bull Creek opened.

"We were wondering why it said no fishing and no swimming, but I guess there's contamination, so it makes sense that you wouldn't want to fish there," said Noel Adorno, trail hiker.

However, the warning signs aren't stopping everyone. At least one man says he doesn't mind, in fact: he'll drink out of this water.

"I would take a cup if you gave me one and I would drink out of that right now," said Chris Bounds, park visitor.

"I don't think it's any different than if you went to a lake you know it's just the nature of the beast, it's not a pool with chlorine," said another park visitor.

The bacteria are most dangerous for those who have open wounds or ingest the water.

Health experts say it could lead to a stomach illness. There's no word on when the water levels could return to safe levels.