The green area in north west Corpus Christi on the map indicates how far the free chlorine disinfectant has reached in the city’s water system. Courtesy Photo
Corpus Christi residents may be able to drink their water without boiling it sometime on Tuesday, May 24, city officials announced at an afternoon press conference Friday, May 20 — five days earlier than originally anticipated. A possible early lifting of the notice is possible because the pure chlorine being shot into the system is working quickly, said assistant manager Mark Van Vleck.
Residents should use water liberally to help move it through the system, said city spokesperson Kim Womack, adding that it is still not drinkable without first boiling it for two minutes.
Another press conference to update residents on progress of the new disinfectant will be held Saturday, May 21, at 2 p.m. in city hall. Daily press conferences are expected until the boil water notice is lifted.
A special city council meeting to discuss the current water problems will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 24, in city hall chambers. City staffers and representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will at the meeting to answer questions.
Also expected at the meeting is Robert W. Bowcock, an associate of environmental activist Erin Brockovich. Bowcock is founder of Integrated Resource Management, Inc. of Claremont, California, which specializes in providing solutions to water quality issues. He was invited by council member Chad Magill who reached out to Brockovich shortly after the boil water notice began.
Brockovich took to social media to announce Bowcock's arrival.
“Corpus Christi … I am happy to report that my water treatment expert, Bob Bowcock, is booked and on his way to Corpus Christi,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “We have spoken with city councilman Chad Magill and are coordinating a series of meetings and on-site visits in order to facilitate his investigation and make some recommendations. Bob arrives Sunday evening and will be in town through Tuesday. A special city council meeting has been called for Monday concerning the water issues. I’ll keep you posted on his progress.”
Known as a consumer advocate, Brockovich first became famous as a legal clerk who helped build a case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California for leaking poison chemicals into a neighborhood water system. She was portrayed by Julia Roberts in the eponymous film released in 2000.
Monday’s special meeting was requested by newly appointed city council member at-large Michael Hunter.
“People in Corpus Christi don’t deserve this,” Hunter told Corpus Christi Business News. “I think a lot of people have questions. People want to be informed and we [the city council members] need to be as informed as everybody.”
At yesterday's press conference, Rose announced that the city would be hiring outside investigators to find some answers and provide long term solutions.
For more on the reasons behind the boil water notice, see yesterday’s update from Corpus Christi Business News. To track the progress of the free chlorine disinfectant as it works it way through the city water system, see the map on the city’s news center on its website.
