Kimble County community recovering from water contamination crisis
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Kimble County, the community of London is on the road to recovery following a days-long do-not-drink advisory.
According to Kimble County Judge Hal Rose, a disaster declaration was signed on Thursday, April 18, after multiple residents and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality reported issues in the community’s water supply. London consists of approximately 90 individuals and 30 households, and the residents rely on two privately owned water system wells for their water needs.
Aqua, a water utility company that operates in the region, said that it had “received a few complaints of odor in the water after a tank had been repainted.” The company worked alongside TCEQ to test the water and issue a do-not-use advisory for London. However, further testing would later change the warning to a do-not-consume advisory on Friday, April 26.
Aqua then implemented a bypass system over the weekend that allowed London residents to access a supply of safe water. Meanwhile, the London Community Center, London Volunteer Fire Department, Kimble County Sheriff’s Office and other entities provided relief with bottled water and a portable water tank.
“We also started involving ourselves in the communication process, having meetings with Aqua, community residents, TCEQ and the Texas Department of Emergency Management just to make sure that the county was aware of the situation and to express our interest in TCEQ continuing to test the water until an all-clear could be given,” Rose said.
During the crisis, community members reportedly felt frustrated due to their circumstances. However, another feeling found its way into London despite the hardship at hand — contentment.
“I would characterize the overall community reaction — after you get past the concern, of course — as that they have been pleased with the level of responsiveness,” Rose said. “They have been very appreciative of the county for their response to it.”
According to a representative of Aqua, the advisory has been lifted as of the night of Monday, April 22. There’s still more to do before the community is back to its typical day-to-day, though, and Rose encourages Texans to keep a vigilant eye on their water systems to help address any concerns or issues like those that London has faced.
“First and foremost, make sure that you’re attentive to it, and if there’s a concern about the water, notify the appropriate parties and, if need be, notify TCEQ,” Rose said. “Take heart that there are a number of entities that are always available to step in.”
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