Why Christoval Residents Ordered to Boil Drinking Water

Since June 23, Christoval citizens have had to boil their water as a “precautionary measure” thanks to the town’s water system not adding a required chemical coagulant, which helps remove sediment and other water particulates that may be present, said Andrea Morrow, a media relations representative with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Water sediments consist of loose particles of clay, sand and other substances that settle at the bottom of a water body, and particulates can include sand, dirt and rust. These substances can carry harmful organic, inorganic and microbiological contaminants through the drinking water system, which is why TCEQ recommended a Boil Water Notice to the Tom Green County Fresh Water Supply Dist. 2 Board of Directors.

Additionally, Morrow said TCEQ, after conducting an on-site technical assistance visit, recommended this BWN remain in effect until “the Board secured a licensed operator, completed proper installation and operation of equipment to add a chemical coagulant at the water treatment plant and collected subsequent bacteriological samples results from the distribution system to demonstrate the absence of coliform bacteria.”

Morrow also said that on Aug. 5, 2015, the Board provided documentation to address the deficiencies, which are currently under review to determine if the requirements have been met to rescind the BWN.

As of Friday, the notice has been rescinded, and JeanAnn Danbert, president of the TGCFWS Dist. 2 Board of Directors, said TCEQ’s version of what took place is not accurate and proclaimed her frustration with the information provided by TCEQ. Thus, Danbert wanted to provide another perspective to ensure Christoval citizens that the water department is doing the best it can to provide the town with an up-to-date water facility filled with new computers and water system technology that will sustain the area for years to come.

“First off, the BWN [was] a precautionary measure, not a hazardous one,” Danbert said. “We received a grant to rebuild our plant, which is what we’ve been doing. Our system is so antiquated, and I don’t think any of us expected the process to be this difficult. We have been caught between a rock and a hard place.”

Danbert also said when the licensed operator resigned, there was only a 24-hour period when they had no one licensed to run the system.

“Right after our engineer resigned, we contacted Jacob & Martin Engineering in Abilene, a place we contract with, and they immediately sent out a licensed engineer to run the system.”

Not only did the town get another licensed engineer within a 24-hour period, but the employee who resigned returned to his post and is once more running the system.

Because of the inconsistencies in stories generated by TCEQ and some local citizens saying they’re not getting answers, Danbert is frustrated.

“Sometimes it’s a no-win situation,” Danbert said. “Since this has started, we have taken over 1,000 phone calls. We are also a non-profit and don’t get paid to do what we’re doing, but we do so because our water is a primary commodity. Our real estate value would be worth zero without it; and the number of hours we’re devoting to this new plant is astronomical.”

Danbert said the people involved in the rebuilding of the water plant has had to face many hardships. Rebuilding a plant is not the same as remodeling because as soon as they fix one problem, another arises. However, these rebuilders are determined to make it through no matter the hours it takes to complete their task; and although the water system is still under review, it is now in compliance with TCEQ standards, hence the ban lift.

Beyond the difficulties of rebuilding the plant, Danbert said she now knows a lot about water plants.

“I’ve learned a lot about the importance of quality water in this process, and my appreciation for it is greater,” Danbert said.

Additionally, despite the number of hours put in, or the number of calls received, Board members are willing to do what it takes to ease the Christoval community’s concerns.

“As soon as we’re done, we plan on calling a community meeting where we will offer tours of the plant, so people can see what we have done,” Danbert said.

These tours will also be open to the general public.

If anyone has additional questions, please contact JeanAnn Danbert at (325) 277-0497.