Austin crews investigating oily sheen, fuel smells in Waller Creek
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department is investigating after an oily sheen and fuel smell were detected in Waller Creek this week.
A KXAN viewer shared a video depicting the rainbow-colored sheen on the creek. It was spotted under the hike-and-bike trail’s bridge near Trinity Street.
The Watershed Protection Department told KXAN department crews along with the Austin Fire Department responded to the area around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, after receiving a 3-1-1 call related to fuel smells in the area. Officials said they found the discoloration near an outfall into the creek.
Crews placed a boom at the outfall to help collect and absorb any of the discharge. The Watershed Protection Department is investigating the incident but said “there is no further threat to water quality.”
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