Barton Springs Pool: Safe for Swimmers
In January 2003, the city of Austin asked the Texas Department
of Health (TDH; now the Department of State Health Services) to
conduct a health consultation on Barton Springs Pool due to
concerns raised about possible contamination with polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
After evaluating analytical data collected by the city of
Austin, the TCEQ, and the U.S. Geological Survey, TDH determined
that Barton Springs Pool is safe for swimming and issued a
formal report 
on this topic. In an
April 17, 2003, letter to the city of
Austin, the TCEQ concurred with TDH’s findings
What are PAHs? PAHs are a family of compounds
that are formed during the incomplete combustion of wood, coal,
gas, garbage, or other organic materials. Some PAHs are classified
as probable human carcinogens, meaning prolonged exposure to
sufficient levels of these compounds can increase the risk of
developing cancer.
Studies by the TCEQ
Assessment of Contamination and Its Source
In response to concerns over contaminants found by the city of
Austin in sediments that had been collected near Barton Creek, the
TCEQ worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
assess both the extent of contamination in the area and the source
of the contaminants. Information from this study is available in
PDF files (help with PDF):
Impacts of Contaminants on Aquatic Organisms
The initial data prompted the TCEQ, in conjunction with the EPA,
to evaluate the potential toxicity of these sediments to aquatic
organisms that live in and on the sediments. A study of the pool
itself is complete. A study of Barton Creek is planned.
Barton Springs Pool. Information from this
study is available in PDF files.
- TCEQ Report: Assessment of Sediment Toxicity in Barton
Springs Pool
Barton Creek. Information from this study is
available in PDF files.
- TCEQ Report: Assessment of Sediment Toxicity in Barton
Creek
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