CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) – Officials told residents in outlying parts of Corpus Christi that they could resume using tap water, and an asphalt company blamed for contaminating the supply pledged to help Texas environmental workers quickly restore safe drinking water for the rest of the Gulf Coast city.
The city released a map late Thursday showing the parts of the city where it was now safe to drink the water, nearly 24 hours after warning all residents to stop using it because of harmful chemical from an industrial plant that leaked into the water supply. The largest section in the middle of the community should continue to refrain from using tap water until further notice, officials said.
Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions Inc. said in a statement late Thursday night that it has been in contact with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and was “working cooperatively to provide all information to ensure state officials can remedy the situation as quickly as possible.”
The statement from the Mississippi-based company, which specializes in the development of engineered paving and pavement preservation products, does not take responsibility for the spill. However, City Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that the city believes Ergon was responsible.
The company didn’t respond to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment.