The City of Childress has declared a local state of disaster as officials continue working to address low disinfectant levels in the community’s water supply.
The disaster declaration was issued Friday, three days after the city placed residents under a boil water notice because of low disinfectant residuals.
According to the declaration, Childress “has suffered widespread or severe damage, injury, or threat of life or property” as a result of the water supply problems.
City officials said a combination of extreme heat, high ground temperatures and ongoing drought conditions has caused disinfectants in the water system to evaporate, resulting in disinfectant levels falling low enough to trigger the boil water notice.
Childress Mayor Cary Preston said in the declaration that he determined “extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property.”
The local disaster declaration will remain in effect for no more than seven days unless extended. It also activates the City of Childress emergency management plan.
In a social media post announcing the declaration, Preston said the move would open the door for Childress to receive assistance from the state. He did not provide additional details about what assistance the city could receive.
The declaration comes as city employees continue efforts to restore adequate disinfectant levels throughout the water system.
In an update posted Wednesday, Preston said employees were “attempting to flush the distribution system with the objective to obtain chlorine residuals throughout the system.”
Those efforts are aimed at bringing the system back into compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality safety standards.
Until the boil water notice is lifted, residents should continue boiling water intended for human consumption. That includes water used for drinking and cooking as well as brushing teeth and washing hands and faces.
The water problems in Childress are unfolding as drought conditions continue affecting the region.
Gov. Greg Abbott has declared a disaster for areas affected by drought, including Childress County. Under that declaration, the Texas Division of Emergency Management deployed bottled water and other resources to Childress.
Bottled water was distributed to facilities with significant needs, including the community’s hospital, nursing homes and Childress Independent School District.
The local disaster declaration gives Childress another avenue to seek assistance while city crews work to restore adequate disinfectant levels and meet state water safety requirements.
