An example of an industrial size back flow preventer. The city says one was not used at the site of the chemical contamination, while the unnamed company says it was. The incident occurred near the Valero Refinery, but a spokesperson from that company says Valero is not responsible. Courtesy photo
The chemical contaminating the city’s water supply is Indulin AA-86, an asphalt emulsifier made by MeadWestvaco, a $16 billion packaging company recently renamed Westrock. A highly toxic chemical, the Indulin AA-86 infiltrated the water system due to a back flow problem near Valero’s asphalt terminal. According to Valero spokeswoman Lillian Riojas, a former city council member, the back flow came from third party operations near the company’s asphalt terminal. She said the problem was not caused by Valero’s refineries.
"We do not believe this issue is being caused by Valero’s Corpus Christi refineries,” reads a company statement. “While the City continues to investigate this issue, we do not believe the City’s water has been impacted. We believe this issue is isolated to a lateral industrial line. Valero is offering its resources to assist the City in isolating the issue and to help confirm this has not impacted the City’s water supply."
The Texas Commission for Environmental Quality is testing samples around the city to see if the 25 gallons suspected to have infiltrated the system have actually contaminated the city’s water supply.
Until the city can confirm that the water is safe, everyone is warned to stop using water for anything.
"Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe," states a public announcement from the city. “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.”
Even breathing mist from the water could be a problem, according to information found online about the chemical. Considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard, exposure to the chemical causes eye and skin burns, severe respiratory tract irritation, and damage to the following organs: respiratory tract, skin, eye, lens or cornea. It may cause allergic skin reaction or damage to the digestive system or gastrointestinal track.
Do not get in eyes or on skin or clothing, warns a chemical hazard sheet posted online. Avoid creating vapor or mist.
