Vandals cause massive wastewater spill

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Hunter Hawkins was trying to think of the perfect way to spend the day when he asked Melanie Bailey to spend the rest of his life with him and decided on going to Barton Springs Pool.

“We got engaged this morning I guess he had plans for us to go kayaking today at Barton Springs and we get here and ya’ll tell us that’s not going to happen,” said Melanie Bailey.

Plans were also ruined for Cleo Succetti Flynn, 85, who used to swim these waters as a child and is visiting from Washington, DC.

“Well, I’m disappointed,” said Flynn.

David Cohen visiting from Maryland can be added to the list of disappointed as well.

"I’d seen a documentary on the place,” said David Cohen.

Bacteria levels are being tested in the natural pool. Meanwhile, well water drinkers in much of South Austin are being asked to test their water and boil it for the next three days.

Austin Water Crews worked around the clock to clean up the more 250,000 gallons of wastewater leaked after vandals removed a man-hole cover and filled a 15-inch water line with debris. That amount of water is more than one-third of what it takes to fill up an Olympic-size pool.

Austin Water Utility crews discovered the vandalized 15-inch line after vandals placed orange construction fencing and several large rocks in the line through a nearby manhole. The debris caused a blockage in the line, near the intersection of Lacrosse Avenue and South MoPac - which is also near the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

"As of today, the older man-hole covers will have new covers and they are much more difficult to access,” said water utility spokesman Jason Hill.

Austin Water does not know exactly how many well water users are impacted or how much the mess will cost to clean up. However, they don't anticipate any serious environmental impacts. Meanwhile, it's a major inconvenience and disappointment for the hundreds who wanted to spend the day at Barton Springs Pool.

Barton Springs Pool will likely remain closed until Thursday. The City of Austin has opened Deep Eddy's Pool through Thursday to accommodate swimmers.

Because of the spill, area residents in Sunset Valley and those who receive their drinking water from a private well are advised to boil all drinking water until the water can be tested.

Crews said their goal is to minimize the environmental impact while they clean up. Though cleanup is still underway, AWU crews had recovered 75 percent of the spill by 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, officials said those who know anything regarding this case should call the Austin Police Department at (512) 974-5000.