Steps To Rid Lake Jackson Water Of Brain-Eating Amoeba Outlined

AUSTIN, TX — The governor on Tuesday outlined a series of actions being taken to rid Lake Jackson, Texas, water supply of a brain-eating amoeba detected over the weekend that claimed the life of a Houston-area boy earlier this month.

Late Friday, environmental regulators alerted Brazosport Water Authority users of the presence of Naeglera Fowleri, a deadly ameba, in the water supply. After steps were taken to bolster water treatment procedures, all but Lake Jackson remained under the advisory. Those drawing water from the authority in that city are under a "boil water" notice before ingesting the potentially tained liquid, and city officials are offering residents free bottled water until the threat is eliminated.

On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott provided an update on the state's response. Key to those efforts was the govenor's disaster declaration issued for Brazoria County on Sunday after the discovery of the ameba. Prior to the press conference, the governor said he was briefed by officials on steps being taken to respond to the situation, including a boil water notice, flushing the city's water supply, testing environmental samples and providing free cases of water to residents.

Previous coverage:

• Brazosport Water Authority 'Do Not Use' Order Largely Lifted
• Brain-Eating Amoeba Prompts Disaster Declaration In Lake Jackson
• Texas Governor To Update On Lake Jackson Brain-Eating Amoeba

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is working alongside the City of Lake Jackson, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), the Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS), the Texas Military Department (TMD), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resolve the ongoing water issue, the governor said.

Flanked by other state officials, Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday outlined the state's response in ridding the Lake Jackson water supply of the presence of deadly amoeba. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Texas Governor.

"The health of the Lake Jackson community and the safety of their water supply is a top priority," Abbott said. "The state is working closely with local and federal officials to resolve this issue, provide resources to the region, and ensure the City of Lake Jackson has safe, clean drinking water."

The governor took time to offer condolences to the family of a six-year-old boy who died on Sept. 8 after being infected with the amoeba. According to multiple reports, the boy may have contracted the amoeba at an area splash pad or a garden hose at his family's home.

"Our hearts go out to the young Texan who lost his life and his family, and I ask my fellow Texans to join me in keeping him and his family in their thoughts and prayers. Residents should continue to heed the orders of local officials as we continue to monitor this situation and work to eradicate this deadly ameba from the water supply."

A Boil Water Notice is still in effect for the City of Lake Jackson. Abbott said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality officials are working with the city to conduct a free chlorine conversion, which changes the water system's disinfectant from chloramine to chlorine.

Along with extensive flushing, a free chlorine conversion will assist in bringing disinfectant residuals to satisfactory levels. Once the flushing and disinfecting process is complete, and the system's chlorine residuals meet state and federal regulations, the boil water notice will be lifted. The Centers for Disease Control recommended precautions will remain in place until concern about the ameba is resolved, the governor noted.

In the meantime, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has established a water point of distribution for affected residents at the Lake Jackson Recreation Center at 91 Lake Rd. Residents can pick up a case of free water bottles everyday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Additional trucks of water will be stationed at the Westheimer Armory and the Texas Division of Emergency Managment's Lufkin Warehouse, with potential changes in locations to points of distribution if needed.

The governor noted the state has already processed 4,500 cars through the point of distribution, and have distributed 6,500 cases of water.