Austin Water Troubles

[Volkonski]

Austin water use restrictions which had been precautionary are now mandatory.

KVUE News
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#Austin boil water notice mandatory as water clarity levels 'fail' state standards #AustinWaterCrisis: http://bit.ly/2NYN8qL

Christopher Neely
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NEW: Austin’s boil water notice now “mandatory” as contamination levels in water system have exceeded the legal limit. Yesterday officials called the initial boil water notice “absolutely precautionary” but today’s call is required by Texas law, per press release. #austinwater

8:28 AM - 24 Oct 2018

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

Reed Timmer
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Video: flood waters over the bridge at Jessica Hollis Park below Mansfield Dam with still 4 flood gates open, Lake Travis in Austin at 100% capacity. Boil that drinking water in the advisory areas! @accuweather @breakingweather #txwx #LakeTravis #Austin

Mansfield Dam now releasing 26K cfs. Water level in Lake Austin where that bridge is located is rising. Lake Austin discharge thru Miller Dam has been increased slightly.

Lake Austin is the water source for 2 of Austin's 3 water treatment plants. With that kind of flow the silt will not be settling out any time soon.

[Volkonski]

Austin remains under mandatory boil water notice and water usage restrictions. Usage has dropped enough that the treatment plants can provide enough water.

Lake Travis will release water at about 26 K cfs into November. Travis should be below flood stage in about 9 days.

Turbidity in Lakes Travis and Austin is dropping slowly as cleaner water flows in from tributaries. The slit is very fine (due to the drought conditions before the rain started) so that it isn't settling out.

Restaurants and businesses are reopening using alternative water supplies.

[Volkonski]

Boil water notice lifted.

[Azastan]

Boil water notice lifted.

Phew.

[DryInk]

On Sunday mornings I make coffee for after the church service (18 pots!). We'd heard the boil notice would be lifted later on Sunday, so we decided to go ahead with making the coffee. Below is a typical conversation about said coffee:

Coffee drinker: Did you boil the water?
Me: No.
CD: Did you use bottled water?
Me: No.
CD: Do you think it’s safe.
Me: The chemicals in the coffee will kill you long before the contaminants in the water.