Austin Starbucks Stores Halt Coffee Sales Amid Boil-Water Notice

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Starbucks coffee stores throughout Austin suspended all coffee/espresso service on Monday after a boil-water notice was issued after recent flooding compromised the quality of the city's drinking water.

Throughout the city, makeshift signs were placed on Starbucks storefronts alerting to the unavailability of java as caffeine junkies arrived for their daily fix. Starbucks officials said the coffee ban might be in place for several days until the boil-water notice is lifted.

Despite the lack of coffee for which water is a main ingredient, the chain will remain open as utility crews work to clean the local drinking supply of debris, mud and silt that has clouded the water, officials said. Packaged food and drinks are still available at the Starbucks chain.

A largely youthful smattering of customers at a Starbucks location along 24th Street — a healthy stone's throw away from the UT-Austin campus, just off Guadalupe Street — were met with a makeshift sign at the entrance alerting they wouldn't be able to get their caffeine fix on Monday: "We will remain open as a gathering place for the community," the sign read. "The nearest open stores are in Bastrop and Buda. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes, and hope to be back up an running as soon as possible."

Related story: Bennu Coffee Not Grounded By Austin Boil-Water Notice

This means that customers intent on sitting down for a cup of coffee at Starbucks on Monday (and likely beyond) will have to travel 15 miles south of Austin to Buda or 33 miles southeast to Bastrop.

Related stories:

Austin Residents Urged To Boil Water, Cut Usage Post-Flooding

Pflugerville Water Safe To Drink, Unaffected By Austin Flood Woes

Nature's Fury: Central Texas Rain Leaves Destruction In Its Wake

Starbucks isn't alone in taking the drastic step. Restaurants across town have reportedly altered their hours and menu offerings as other opt to close for the day in the wake of the boil-water notice. An inability to serve tap water, make ice and wash dishes altered the operations at myriad eateries and bars.

JuiceLand, with 20 locations in Austin, suspended sales of made-to-order juices and smoothies across the city until the boil-water notice is lifted.

Juice-making was halted at a Juiceland catering largely to UT-Austin students near campus amid the boil-water notice. Only pre-packed drinks and food was being served there on Monday.

The boil-water notice has made bottled water a sudden prized commodity across the city. Calls made to Target and HEB stores as to their supply of bottled water came back negative: It's all sold out. Even mom-and-pop stores quickly sold out of cases of bottled water, including Rio Market at 620 W. 29th St. near UT-Austin where the owner told Patch he sold out by 7:30 a.m.

Cases of bottled water at the Rio Market neighborhood convenience store sold out by 7:30 a.m.

Nearby UT-Austin students were seen entering their neighborhood Rio Market convenience store only to learn cases of water had long been sold out. One enterprising young man opted for a couple of cases of Gatorade as he ambled back to his car with the boxes on hand after purchasing the sports drinks.

Across the street, Growler USA craft beer bar alerted customers they wouldn't get a glass of water to accompany their hand-crafted pint of beer. There's plenty of beer available there — an impressive 100 taps pouring an array of interesting concoctions from lighter IPAs to oatmeal stouts — but no water will be served there for the time being.

The Whataburger restaurant at 2800 Guadalupe St. was forced to alter its schedule, operating only as a drive-through facility as a result of the boil-water notice. The restaurant alerted customers to the impromptu change, advising clients of their availability of bottled water and other drinks immune to the current boil-water safeguard.

While some restaurants languished under the boil-water provisions, El Arroyo at 1624 W. 5th St. — known as much for its delicius Mexican food as for its amusing marquees on current events — made the most of the unprecedented situation:

The developments come after flood-inducing heavy rains compromised the quality of water at the Colorado River. As a result, water utility officials said they're now having to close portions of plants piecemeal for water treatment and replacement of filters. During the process, utility officials ask that residents not only boil their water before drinking or cooking but to also reduce their water usage both outdoors and indoors.

Residents were even asked to shorten their showers as utility crews work to stabilize quality at water treatment facilities.

Those with questions on the water quality can check out city FAQ portal by clicking here.

Relatives of people being detained in county jails have flooded the Travis County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) with calls of concerns about their jailed loves ones' welfare as it relates to the compromised water, a spokeswoman suggested in a Monday email. Inmates have been advised to avoid drinking fountains in lieu of bottled water for the time being, the spokeswoman said.

"We've been receiving calls from family members of inmates, concerned there is a water shortage at our county jails," sheriff's office spokesperson Kristen Dark said in the email. "Notices are in place in all inmate housing areas not to drink the water from faucets. TCSO has enough water reserves at the Travis County Correctional Complex (Del Valle) to accommodate inmates with bottled water for several hours. Water has been boiled at the Travis County Jail (downtown), cooled and is being distributed via water cooler containers. Additional water is currently being transported from adjacent counties to replenish our supply."

And there's more safe drinking water en route, she added: "We have 500 cases of water arriving today, with an additional 4,375 cases on order for the upcoming days (15,000 bottles per day / 7 days). A STAR request has been submitted for water from the state. We are working with the Office of Emergency Management to get a water tanker with the capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of potable water."

She assured family members of those detained in particular and the public in general of the currency placed on prisoner safety: "The proper care of our inmate population is of utmost importance to us, and we will make sure they do not go without clean drinking water," Dark said.

At the Austin Independent School District, precautions were taken to protect children from drinking the compromised drinking water. "Austin ISD is continuing to monitor the ongoing situation," district officials wrote on their website. "The district has enough resources on hand for today, and all AISD campuses and offices are operating on a normal schedule."

In light of the water boil notice, Austin ISD took the following precautions:

• Drinking fountains were covered or closed to prevent students from using them.

• Cafeteria managers are following boil instructions for safety.

• Food menus were adjusted to include hot vegetables, and fruits such as apples and oranges. No salad bars were offered Monday.

"Students are encouraged to bring their own drinking water or other beverage such as juice, sports drinks, etc. from home," school district officials said. "Schools will also supply any student in need with water. Campuses will accept donations of bottled water in the meantime."

AISD posted an added note to their notice in assuaging parents' concerns: "Our students' health and safety is of utmost importance to us. Thank you for your flexibility and support."

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>>> Top photo: The Starbucks along 24th Street near the UT-Austin campus was among those throughout Austin that wasn't selling coffee on Monday amid worries over drinking water quality. All photos by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.