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The Health and Human Services Commission posted the following alert.

Corpus Christi officials announced Thursday that the city’s tap water should be avoided until further notice due to potential chemical contamination following a back-flow incident. Until results can confirm the safety of the water, the city says only bottled water should be used for all purposes, including drinking, bathing, cooking and dishwashing.

Providers and residents should not try to treat the water themselves. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe.

Home and Community Support Services Agencies must adhere to licensing rule related to Emergency Preparedness.  This includes all DADS regulated providers that are required to have and implement a preparedness and response plan for any emergency that may affect their ability to deliver services.

Lack of usable water may constitute an emergency that affects a facility’s or agency’s operations. Providers in the affected area should follow the above direction and implement any other precautions needed to ensure the safety of their service delivery. For emergency preparedness and response rules specific to each provider type, please see the following sections of Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 1:

• Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) - Chapter 92, §92.62(d);
• Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) facilities - Chapter 98, §98.64;
• ) - Chapter 97, §97.256 and §97.871(a)(2) for inpatient hospice units;
• Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICFs/IID) - Chapter 90, §90.50;
• Nursing Facilities (NFs) - Chapter 19, §19.1914; and
• Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers (PPECCs) - Chapter 15, §15.209.
• Home and Community-based Services (HCS) - §9.178(d)

Providers and residents also should check the City of Corpus Christi website for updates.