Austin cleaning up big wastewater spill

The city of Austin is cleaning up a wastewater spill in a heavily wooded area of eastern Travis County.

Monday evening, a city contractor discovered sewage leaking from a manhole at the corner of Loyola Lane and Wentworth Drive , near Elm Creek.

City officials estimate at least 100,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the creek and said that residents and their pets should avoid the water there until crews can clean up the spill.

Crews have the spill under control and are currently working to create a bypass so repairs can be made.

Austin Water Utility officials are still looking for what caused the big backup, but officials said the spill won't affect the city's drinking water.