Crystal City says water is safe, provides other water sources anyway

SAWS sends 5,000-gallon tanker of drinking water

CRYSTAL CITY, Texas – Crystal City says its water is back to normal, but it will be providing wary residents with other water sources on Friday anyway.

Residents began posting pictures of black water coming out of faucets Wednesday night. The city said it was sediment from the water tower, which was flushed that night.

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City employees said the sediment is now out of the system and the water is safe. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also investigated the water on Thursday and determined it was in compliance with TCEQ regulations.

Crystal City Water/Wastewater Superintendent Carlos Ramirez said the TCEQ testing was performed after the city had already been flushing sediment from the system via fire hydrants.

Crystal City Finance Director Gloria Hernandez said residents have been trying to keep from drinking the water, so alternatives will be available Friday.

The San Antonio water utility, SAWS, is sending a 5,000-gallon tanker truck filled with drinkable water to Crystal City on Friday afternoon. SAWS is scheduled to distribute the water at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall. Nearby Carrizo Springs will also bring some pallets of bottled water and a fire truck full of non-drinkable water.

Hernandez said the city plans to bring bottled water to older residents, too.


About the Author:

Garrett Brnger is a reporter with KSAT 12.