> At a Glance
> – A 42-inch wastewater main burst Jan. 5 near Wolf Ranch Shopping Center
> – More than 100,000 gallons of sewage entered the San Gabriel River’s south fork
> – Trail closed; residents warned to avoid river water and treat private-well supplies
> – Why it matters: Health risk from contamination and uncertain duration of water-use limits
Georgetown, Texas, scrambled to contain a major wastewater-line rupture discovered Monday after crews noticed an overflow at the Wolf Ranch lift station. The breach has closed part of the South San Gabriel River Trail and triggered citywide safety advisories.
Spill Details
The 42-inch force-main sits about a quarter-mile west of I-35 behind the Wolf Ranch Shopping Center. Investigators still do not know what caused the failure and have alerted the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Repairs began after workers isolated the line and installed a temporary dam in the river’s south fork. Another public update is expected later this week.
Public-Health Orders
City manager David Morgan emphasized that municipal tap water remains safe, but river water now poses a hazard:
- Stay out of San Gabriel and Blue Hole parks river sections
- Avoid contact with soil or residue near the spill
- Shower and launder clothes immediately if exposure occurs
Private-well users within a half-mile radius must:
- Boil water at a rolling boil for one full minute before any use
- Have wells tested and treated before resuming normal consumption
Customers on public water should verify safety with their provider.
Key Takeaways
- 100,000-plus gallons of raw sewage entered the river; cleanup is underway
- South San Gabriel River Trail is closed until further notice
- Well-water users face mandatory boil-and-test steps; city water unaffected
Officials urge continued caution while crews finish repairs and environmental testing.
