Groundwater Contamination In Austin Leans Heavily to Gasoline and Solvents

By: Duane Craig

Gasoline, diesel and solvents still a problem in Austin, Tx

Gasoline, diesel and solvents figure prominently in Austin’s list of legacy environmental issues affecting groundwater, according to documents on file with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality.

There have been no less than 20 reported spills of solvents and chlorinated solvents since 1987, and one of those cases could have potentially affected public drinking water supplies. That was a case in 2006 at 7301 Burnet Road involving Rick’s Cleaners. Other cases of groundwater contamination with solvents over the years were reported at 309 West Fifth St., 5114 Balcones Woods, 3415 Northland Drive, 2100 South Lamar Blvd., 309-11 West Fifth St., 2401 Ascension Blvd., 400 Block West Third St., 1915 Kramer Lane, 1018 West Northwest Highway, 9315 McNeil Road, 127 East Riverside Drive, 10401 Anderson Mill Road and Northwest Braker Lane and Burnet Road.

Gasoline, oil and diesel spills affecting groundwater were a bit more prevalent, numbering more than 30 during the same time, with about half of those occurring this century. Some affected addresses included 10611 Research Blvd., 3807 Interstate Highway 35 North, 4416 Manchaca, 4712 Bolm Road, 1212 Rio Grande, 3324 Northland Drive, 2909 West Anderson Lane, 4400 Manchaca Road, 2210 South Farm to Market Road 973, 15900 Bratten Lane, 8143 Mesa Drive and 9433 Parkfield Drive.

Other groundwater environmental issues involved nitrates and nitrites, volatile organic compounds, benzene compounds, metals and lead.