Texas Border Business
All information provided to Texas Border Business by the office of Congressman Henry Cuellar
Update #6 – 05/05/2014:
TCEQ staff again observed the U.S. side of the Falcon Reservoir. Visual surveys of the Rio Salado/Falcon Reservoir confluence were conducted. No water contamination indicators were observed, including colors, odors or affected wildlife. Water fowl and birds were present. Fishermen were also observed on the Mexican side.
Nearby PWS facilities were contacted in the morning and afternoon and none indicated any change in raw water quality incoming to their plant.
Read all other updates from the beginning of the report on possible water contamination
Update #5 – 05/04/14:
TCEQ staff again observed the U.S. side of the Falcon Reservoir including at the confluence of the Rio Salado. No water contamination indicators were observed, including colors, odors or affected wildlife. Water levels in the Falcon Reservoir were slightly lower than yesterday. Nearby PWS facilities were contacted in the morning and afternoon and two PWS facilities were visited. None indicated any change in raw water quality incoming to their plant.
Update #4 – 05/03/2014:
TCEQ staff again observed the U.S. side of the Falcon Reservoir. No water contamination indicators were observed, including colors, odors or affected wildlife. Water levels in the Falcon Reservoir were lower than the previous two days. Nearby PWS facilities were contacted in the morning and afternoon and none indicated any change in raw water quality incoming to their plant. TCEQ will continue to monitor the situation as we await the lab results. Plant representatives were notified that they would be contacted on Sunday morning and afternoon for status updates.
Pursuant to 30 Texas Administrative Code 303.18, this e-mail is being provided as a precautionary notification.
Update #3 – 05/02/2014:
TCEQ staff again observed the U.S. side of the Falcon Reservoir. No water contamination indicators were observed, including colors, odors or affected wildlife. Water levels in the Falcon Reservoir were higher than yesterday due to increased releases upstream from Mexico’s reservoirs, resulting in higher turbidities. Staff also interviewed two local fishermen who had been fishing near a sampling point location for the previous two days sampling activities (Sampling point B). Reports from the fisherman indicated that no dead fish, odors or colored water were present at this site.
Nearby PWS facilities were contacted in the morning and afternoon and none indicated any change in raw water quality incoming to their plant. Plant representatives were notified that they would be contacted over the weekend for additional updates.
TCEQ staff reviewed partial bacteriological sample results from yesterday’s sampling, and no problems were noted. All sample results received and evaluated thus far continue not to indicate any significant or immediate threat to water quality in the Falcon Reservoir.
TCEQ Statement put out Friday on Rio Grande water:
Sampling performed by TCEQ and IBWC at various locations has not found any water contamination indicators from the Rio Salado. There are no indications there is any significant or immediate threat to water quality in the Falcon Reservoir.
Water from public water systems is filtered and treated, and our notice is meant to make sure these systems pay extra attention to their testing and treatment. Groundwater and well water would not be affected by potential surface water issues.
The TCEQ is acting out of an abundance of caution. Because of the uncertain information that we have received from Mexico, TCEQ is conducting a broad spectrum of tests to make absolutely certain there are no water threats and these tests require time. TCEQ will provide information as soon as test results verify there are no issues with surface water.
