A city worker takes water samples from various locations throughout the city as the boil water notice moves into its fifth day. Courtesy Photo by Gabriela Morrow
Water,water everywhere and not a drop to drink has never been more true than in Corpus Christi this week. The city has issued its third boil water notice in 10 months, the last two in July and September of 2015. This one entered its fifth day, Tuesday, May 17.
Though the City has maintained an adequate chlorine level since Saturday, the presence of bacteria was noted at two different sites, announced city officials Tuesday morning. Samples could have been compromised due to the heavy rains that occurred on Sunday when samples were compelled to be collected, said city officials, adding that no E.coli has been detected in any of the samples.
To lift the boil water notice, the city must have 20 water samples showing adequate levels of disinfectant with no harmful bacteria. Although officials announced that the notice would most likely be lifted on Monday, continued rains, floods and overflowing sewage complicated matters and the notice was extended until at least Tuesday. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality studies the samples and decides on when to lift the notice.
The need to boil water for drinking, cooking and making ice has been directly linked to nitrogen-rich runoff from overflow of rain water into the water system. Chlorine disinfectant used to make water safe for consumption was overwhelmed by heavy nitrogen laden flood waters.
Although recent rains carry some of the blame for the city’s current water problems, aging infrastructure also plays a part, according to officials. Pipes in Flour Bluff and North Beach, where flooding has been the most intense, also have the oldest pipes in the city’s system.
RAIN, RAIN AND MORE RAIN
More storms are expected this week on top of weather activity that accounted for a foot or more of rain water in some areas. Storms are expected through Thursday evening according to the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi. Along with high winds and hail, another three inches of rain is anticipated.
Problems caused by the rains on Monday included:
• 400,000 gallons of sewage overflow washed into La Volla Creek from a wastewater line near the Greenwood Wastewater Treatment Plant at Saratoga Blvd and Greenwood Drive;
• Classes were cancelled for the Flour Bluff Independent School District;
• Schools in the Corpus Christi, Aransas Pass, Gregory-Portland, Port Aransas and West Oso schools delayed start times;
• The city activated its emergency operations center for people who had to be rescued from their homes due to the rising flood waters;
• Lightening strikes caused power outages for thousands of homes for about 15 hours;
• A majority of the roads and yards in Aransas Pass and Ingleside were flooded.
BOIL WATER
To properly boil water for consumption, bring it to a vigorous rolling boil for two minutes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water the City of Corpus Christi provide similar notification. Citizens can receive on-going information about the water boil advisory at the City website at cctexas.com (newsroom) or news.cctexas.com.
