SAN ANGELO, Texas — UPDATE (Feb. 5 p.m.): In the latest update Saturday, the City of San Angelo released documents providing background and detailed information about the chemicals found in the sampling data.
According to the latest City's update, the investigations into the location of the original contamination is still ongoing. Updates will be provided as they are received.
Questions can be emailed to paulann@cosatx.us, however, responses may be delayed because of the number of emails received.
The sampling data and information can be found at the following links:
Original story
The City of San Angelo provided an update Saturday morning for the water issue impaction some San Angelo residents.
The updated map can be found here.
According to a City press release, it received the next set of test results, sampled Thursday, Feb. 11, of samples taken from random locations throughout the preview green and white areas, the PaulAnn area and the separate northern industrial area.
The northern industrial region was physically separated through valves from the majority of the PaulAnn areas since Monday, Feb.8 and remains isolated.
The City received testing results from the third and fourth rounds of testing, including the PaulAnn area, and immediately began data review coordination with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), according to the release.
According to the City, between its second, third and fourth testing results, it and the TCEQ determined all samples tested within the PaulAnn area over the last four days have all tested below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for benzene. This means the samples within the PaulAnn area have been compliant since Thursday, Feb. 11. The last results above the MCL in the area were from results received Tuesday. Feb.9.
As a result of all samples from the PaulAnn residential area not identifying benzene or other contaminants above the MCL, the City proposed to TCEQU to downgrade the residential isolation zone from a do-not-use order to a do-not-drink advisory. The advisory would allow residents in the area to flush their systems bathe, do dishes, laundry and wash dishes.
TCEQ approved the request late Friday evening. Both, the City and TCEQ agreed to keep the requested do-not-dring advisory for the area until flushing of the lines was finished, a final set of tests taken and no contaminants over the MCL found.
Flushing in the area is anticipated to be finished by mid-day Saturday, Feb. 13.
Because of positive benzene results above the MCL, the City and TECQ agreed it was necessary to maintain the northern industrial isolation as a red zone and falling under the do-not-use order until flushing of the areas has been completed and post-flushing test results have been approved, according to the release.
There will be no other updates until after the winter storm. The PaulAnn area will not be released from the do-not-drink advisory until sometime next week if contaminants remain below MCL, the release said.
The City provided the following "Do's" and "Dont's for areas in the do-not-drink advisory:
- DO
- Take showers
- Wash dishes
- Wash Laundry
- Wash your hands
- DON’T
- Drink water from the faucet - continue to use bottled water
- Cook with water from the faucet - if you cook, use bottled water
- Brush your teeth with water from the faucet - when you brush, use bottled water
- Use ice from an automatic dispenser - purchase from a commercial facility within the current green area of the attached map
- Prepare coffee with water from the faucet - continue to use using bottled water
- Fill pet water bowls from the faucet -continue to use bottled water
Additionally, the City recommends initiating flushing at residences and businesses. The City has been flushing major distribution pipes in the PaulAnn area since Wednesday, this, however, will not necessarily flush water within internal piping.
The City provided the following recommended steps for PaullAnn residents because of contaminants found in the area:
- If you have not flushed one or more of your toilets over the past several days, flush at least 2-3 times to completely flush water through your toilet, tank, and piping
- Turn on all of your faucets and showers (at the same time) with both cold and hot, and let the faucets and showers run for approximately 30 minutes, or until the water turns cold (in order to flush your hot water heater)
- If you have a washing machine, run at least one cycle using “warm” water with detergent (to flush both hot and cold water lines) without putting any clothes in the washing machine
- If you have a dishwasher, run at least one cycle using warm water with detergent without putting any dishes in the dishwasher
- Open the faucets on outdoor hose bib connections for 2-3 minutes to flush exterior piping (outdoor hose bib flushing can also wait until the weather warms back up)
The City will continue flushing efforts and anticipate completion of flushing Saturday morning. The City and TCEQ staff are coordinating a post-flushing sampling event Saturday morning. The samples will be sent to LCRA lab in Austin as soon as possible, weather permitting.
Once the PaulAnn area and the northern industrial area can be released to normal water, pending test results, the City will be notified.
