Boil-water alerts in Texas on the rise for many reasons
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In a May 14, 2016 file photo, water is flushed out from a hydrant, on the corner of Glenmore St. and Kentner St. in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Texas Gulf Coast city has issued three orders in less than a year telling residents to boil their water to ensure it’s safe to consume, including a two-week order this month that sparked outrage, contributed to the city manager’s resignation and renewed questions about how to fix the problem. (Gabe Hernandez/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP, File) (The Associated Press)
The Texas Gulf Coast city of Corpus Christi has issued three boil-water orders in less than a year, but it's far from the only U.S. community dealing with water problems and aging infrastructure.
Corpus Christi's most recent order lasted two weeks and ended Wednesday. It sparked outrage and contributed to the resignation of the city manager.
Officials worry that repeated advisories to boil water to ensure it's safe to consume could keep tourists from visiting the city of 320,000 residents.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Many communities in Texas and beyond are dealing with similar problems, and the issues of safe drinking water and eroding infrastructure are gaining more attention due to the crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Among the most common causes of boil-water advisories are broken mains, loss of pressure and high bacteria levels.