Three water tanks that supply water to the central part of Corpus Christi are being flushed twice Dec. 17-18 as the city works with environmental organizations to clear the system of a chemical accidentally leaked from a asphalt plant on Up River Road. The contamination has rendered the city’s water unusable since Thursday, Dec. 14. 
Corpus Christi Mayor Dan McQueen explained at a press conference the evening of Friday, Dec. 16, that the towers would be flushed twice each to wash any of the chemical Indulin AA-86 from the sides of the tanks. 
Insulin AA-86 is an asphalt emulsifier that is believed to have leaked into the system from Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions plant on Up River Road in the industrial area of the city. The water lines that supply that part of the city includes Valero Refineries. Ergon Ashalt is on Valero property and is associated with the company. 
Once the tanks are flushed, samples from through out the city will be taken by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and sent to Houston for testing by the Environmental Protection Agency. That could mean Corpus Christi residents will be waiting at least until Monday before a majority of them can use their water. 
Residents in Flour Bluff, Calallen and Padre Island can both consume and bath in the water. Southsiders can bath and wash, but can’t drink their water. The rest of the city is warned not to do anything but flush toilets with the tap water. 
City officials will hold another press conference at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 to announce any updates or changes. 
See new water zone maps and complete water distribution list.