For Water or Wastewater Emergencies call 512-218-5555, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When it goes down the drain it’s gone for good right? Wrong! The City’s wastewater (sewer) system is designed to dispose of water, toilet paper, and body fluid – anything else, blocks the flow and EVERYTHING that went down, comes back up…into your home, street, creeks and anywhere else it can.
If it isn’t body fluid or toilet paper, It Doesn’t Go… Don’t Stop the Flow
If It Can’t Flow, It Overflows…
- Property damage
- Plumbing problems
- Nasty cleanup
- Replacement of material goods
- Health issues
From the Street, to the Creek… 
Illicit Discharge
When sewage overflows in the street, it goes down the storm drains and into to the nearest creek, lake, or other body of water. No filter. No treatment. Just straight into the bodies of water you swim in, boat on, fish from, and well, you get the drift.
Storm drains, you know those openings along the curb you’re terrified of falling into or the caged hole in the middle of the parking lot you just know you’ll drop your keys into, are designed to help alleviate flooding by draining stormwater (rainwater from storms) off streets and parking lots. Contrary to popular belief, when stormwater or anything else goes in the storm drain, it flows directly into the nearest body of water, no treatment, no filtration.
To report a suspected illicit discharge, please contact stormwater staff or call 512-218-7046.
Can it be Flushed?
There are many misconceptions on what you can and cannot flush, but as a general rule: If it isn’t body fluid or toilet paper, DO NOT FLUSH IT! Even if it’s small or the package reads “flushable,” it can cause significant problems for you and the City.
Common items flushed and why they should NOT be: | ||
| Wipes | – | No Wipes in the Pipes! Even those labeled “flushable”, they are too thick and do not disintegrate easily. |
| Paper Towels, Napkins, and Tissue | – | Designed to absorb moisture and stay together when wet, not break down. |
| Grease, Oils and Fats | – | Can it…Don’t Drain It! Grease may go in as liquid, but as soon as it hits the drain, it cools and becomes a pipe-clogging wax. Pour leftover grease in a can then toss in the trash. Request a FREE Cease-the-Grease kit with a can lid, by emailing Don’t Stop the Flow. Learn more at Cease the Grease. |
| Feminine Hygiene Products | – | Designed to absorb moisture and expand which prevents safe passage through your pipes. |
| Animal Training Pads | – | Constructed of a waterproof film that prevents liquid from passing through and of a super-absorbent polymer and fluff pulp, which turns liquid into gel. These do not break down in water and can cause major blockages. |
| Cotton Balls and Swabs | – | They do not break down in water, instead they gather together and are difficult to dislodge. |
| Cat Litter | – | Made from clay and sand, two things that should NEVER be flushed. Cat waste also contains toxins and parasites that should not be in our water system. |
| Condoms | – | Easy to flush, but not so easy on the wastewater system. Condoms can inflate like balloons and cause fairly destructive obstructions. |
| Medication | – | Wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove chemicals found in drugs. These dangerous chemicals get pumped into the lakes and streams, contaminating groundwater supplies and wildlife downstream. Properly dispose of medications during the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, hosted by the Police Department, check the City’s events page for more. |
| Disposable Diapers | – | Made from a toxic plastic designed to expand when it becomes wet. |
| Dental Floss | – | Once flushed, it wraps around objects in the pipeline, making tiny clogs bigger in an instant. |
| Cigarette Butts | – | Full of incredibly toxic chemicals that end up in the water supply. |
| Band-aids | – | Made of a non-biodegradable plastic that is terrible for the environment and causes clogs. |
| Pets | – | Goldfish are commonly flushed, but small rodents (hamsters and gerbils) are also found in the wastewater system. They’re sturdy and they create clogs; consider a proper burial. |
| Food | – | Although biodegradable, it doesn’t break down fast so it can lump together and cause clogs. |
| Hair | – | Like floss, it tangles and catches things, creating clogs. |
Wastewater System
The City of Round Rock’s wastewater collection system is made up of over 300 miles of collection lines. These lines ultimately go to the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant either directly or through larger diameter regional interceptor lines. The Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment System is jointly owned and operated by the Cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park and Austin. The City of Round Rock has a collection system rehabilitation program that includes cleaning and videoing the collection system, as well as inspecting and correcting “problem” areas that require regular maintenance. This program is funded through water and wastewater utility funds.
The City of Round Rock currently owns and operates 12 lift stations that pump wastewater to gravity sewer mains or to the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Wastewater treatment for the City of Round Rock takes place at the Brushy Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (BCRWWTP), located west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 79 and Red Bud Lane.
The City’s wastewater collection system is currently covered under the Wastewater Discharge Permit held by the Cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Austin for the BCRWWTP. This facility was recently re-rated for an average maximum flow of 25 million gallons per day from the plant’s regional customers. The regional customers include the Cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Austin, as well as the Fern Bluff and Brushy Creek Municipal Utility Districts.
If you have any questions or concerns please call 512-218-2000.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the environmental agency for the state.
| Billing Questions | 512-218-5460 | |
| General Information | 512-218-5555 | |
| Grease Package | 512-671-2887 | Sara Kesselring |
| Hazardous Waste Disposal | 512-218-5559 | |
| Maintenance/Repairs | 512-218-5555 | |
| Permit Information | 512-218-2000 | Ashley Medel |
| Rebate Programs | 512-671-2872 | Jessica Woods |
| Sewer Backups (24 hours) | 512-218-5555 | |
| Storm Drain Flooding | 512-218-7046 | stormwater@roundrocktexas.gov |