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Crews continue to check for water contamination after Brushy Creek sewage spill

The spill began Monday morning and the release of sewage was stopped by 9:30 p.m. the same day.

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Crews in the Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District (MUD) are continuing to check for water contamination after a sewage spill Monday.

Brushy Creek MUD said that a pump failed at the Cat Hollow Lift Station at 16920 Smyers Lane, releasing about 175,000 gallons of sewage. The spill began at 11:30 a.m. on Monday and the release of sewage was stopped by 9:30 p.m.

A portion of the spill was contained on site, with the majority contained in a dry creek bed that runs behind the lift station, officials said. The spill ran behind the lift station toward Smyers Lane and continued a southern route under Ranch Road 620, where it ended.

Officials said Brushy Creek Public Works worked through the night to minimize health and safety risk to surrounding residents. Officials said during the time of the spill, Brushy Creek MUD had trucks onsite to pump directly from the well, reducing the spill volume. Then, after the sewage release was stopped, Brushy Creek MUD continued to use the trucks to recover released sewage in the area.

Officials said the area has also been disinfected, and Public Works will be taking water samples within the affected area to be tested for bacterial contamination.

Residents whose private drinking water supply wells are located within a half-mile of the spill site or within the affected area should only use water that has been distilled or boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute. People who purchase water from a public water supply may contact their distributor to determine if their water is safe to use.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Region 11, the City of Round Rock and Williamson County were all notified of the incident.

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