The 2017 Corpus Christi annual drinking water quality report is ready

Eighteen months after the water crisis of 2016, Corpus Christi's drinking water has a clean bill of health.

"I've been here for 10 years, and this is the best water quality I think we've ever had," said Crystal Ybanez, water quality manager.

The utilities department is required to put out an annual drinking water quality report in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

The city's surface water supply comes from Choke Canyon, Lake Corpus Christi and Lake Texana (via pipeline from the Lower Colorado River) and is processed at the O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant.

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The report is broken down into 15 categories that include inorganic contaminants, disinfection byproducts, turbidity, lead and copper and radioactive contaminants, among others.

In 2016, Corpus Christi endured multiple water boil notices because disinfectant levels got too low or there was potential for bacterial growth in the water.

What is different now is the type of disinfectants used, Ybanez said. In March 2017,  the city added a chlorine dioxide treatment component to the system.

"We haven't seen any problems. The chemistry in the water distribution system is better than we've ever seen it with all the water improvements in the last few years," she said. "We've changed the ways we treat water, our technique and added the chlorine dioxide, as a pre-treatment method."

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Officials want to continue to educate citizens on an expected increase in water pressure because of a new 3 million-gallon water tower on Holly Road.

Now that the water storage tank is operational, citywide water pressure will increase to 65 pounds per square inch (or psi), which could result in higher water bills for residents, especially if there are leaks.

The four existing water towers on Alameda Street, Gollihar Road, Morgan Avenue and Flour Bluff Drive will be decommissioned. A second new tower on Rand Morgan Road has also been constructed. It holds 750,000 gallons of water.

Greater water pressure also helps with keeping Corpus Christi's water clean of contamination. The new water towers will provide an average of 55-60 psi of water pressure, which means the water will run faster through the pipes and more will be used in a shorter amount of time.

"You want to have adequate pressure in the system to make sure no contaminant gets into the water system," said Gabriel Ramirez, assistant director of water quality and treatment, in May. "This helps with water quality, which means we'll need less water aids in the systems."

Water quality degrades if water is stagnant in pipes for 10 or more days. The increased water pressure means the cycle will be more constant.

IF YOU GO

What: Annual Drinking Water Quality Report presentation

When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 9

Where: Water Utilities Building, Choke Canyon Room, 2726 Holly Road