Drinking Water Update for Corpus Christi, Texas
12/17/2016
Contact Information:
David Gray (gray.david@epa.gov)
Drinking Water Update for Corpus Christi, Texas
Contact: David Gray, gray.david@epa.gov
DALLAS – (December 17, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and Texas Department of State Health Services remind residents to follow drinking water restrictions announced by the City of Corpus Christi.
People living in Zone 3 SHOULD NOT use water from the tap. People living in Zone 2 SHOULD NOT ingest or otherwise consume drinking water from their taps. A copy of each zone information is included at the end of this warning.
Within the last 24 hours, there have been four unconfirmed reports of possibly related symptoms from prohibited water use by people living in Corpus Christi. The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends that citizens with health questions should contact their local healthcare professional.
Citizens concerned about their drinking water quality should contact TCEQ at 888-777-3186.
The City of Corpus Christi’s DO NOT USE advisory remains in full effect for Zone 3. This is the zone where the tap water should not be used and only bottled water should be used for all drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or clothes, washing hands, and bathing until further notice. You may flush toilets.
EPA and TCEQ have integrated their operations in both Austin and Corpus Christi to ensure the situation is handled as swiftly as possible. The top priority is the safety of Corpus Christi residents and a transparent response, and both organizations will continue to provide any and all support to remedy this situation as quickly as possible. EPA has made available emergency analytical services from the EPA laboratory located in nearby Houston, Texas. The TCEQ and EPA are continuing to collect and analyze samples from drinking water in Corpus Christi.
As a reminder, following are the current advisories for Zones 1-3:
• ZONE 1 is defined as the zone where the current DO NOT USE advisory has been rescinded. This City zone has resumed using the tap water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and all regular uses.
• ZONE 2 is defined as the zone where LIMITED USE of the tap water may resume. The limited activities include bathing, showering, flushing toilets, and washing clothes. However, due to the potential for contaminated water, infants and young children should not bathe using water since they may swallow some of it and additional water testing is needed. Immuno-compromised individuals (e.g., those individuals undergoing chemotherapy, those with HIV/AIDS) should likewise avoid consuming the water. Also, this zone should not use the tap water for drinking or cooking /food preparation; only bottled water should be used.
• ZONE 3 is defined as the zone where the DO NOT USE advisory remains in full effect. This is the zone where the tap water should not be used and only bottled water should be used for all drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or clothes, washing hands, and bathing until further notice. You may flush toilets.
As soon as further information is available, the TCEQ and EPA will provide additional detail. Public information regarding this incident is available on the TCEQ's website at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/response/corpus-christi-emergency-response.
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