WATCH: South Austin residents urged to suspend non-essential water use

City of Austin officials Tuesday morning said South Austin residents should stop all essential water use -- including all outdoor watering -- as crews begin repairing a 54-inch water main.

The water line -- which is one of the city's main water arteries, providing 60 percent of the drinking water for residents and businesses south of the river -- sprung a leak Monday night, keeping crews very busy in the southwest part of the city.

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KVUE's Shelton Green reports

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It happened in the 2100 block of Walsh Tarlton near Barton Creek Square Mall.

Austin Water Utility says the leak was caused when a construction crew drilling in the area punctured the steel pipe around 5:30 Monday evening.

"This is a major transmission main that comes from one of our water treatment plants -- Ulrich Treatment Plant -- to the South Austin area," said Jill Mayfield, Austin Water Utility.

Monday evening water crews waited on large equipment to help them repair the leak which sends water to most of South and Southwest Austin.

"We're letting this line run. We're using the water that is available to continue to fill our reservoirs so we will have enough water for the next day," Mayfield said.

It's not believed at this point that any Austinites will lose water during the repair, nor will they have to boil their water until further notice.

Austin Water Utility has asked South Austin residents to hold off big water usage until Wednesday -- for example, wait until Wednesday to wash your car or do your laundry.

"We have plenty of water for the citizens now -- that's not an issue right now," Mayfield said Mondya night. "Right now, we're trying to figure out the best way to create the least amount of impact on our customers and take care of this water main in a timely fashion."

But officials on Tuesday said the utility was shutting off the flow to the main so crews can repair the pipe. There is a 12-hour water reserve for customers affected, and officials say all non-essential water use should be stopped until further notice.

Drivers should also avoid the 2100 block of Walsh Tarlton as crews repair the line.