Target: Cari-Michel La Caille, Director of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Office of Water
Goal: Improve water quality of town beset by apparent health problems.
When a Texas teenager was hospitalized from chemical burns reportedly caused by her shower water, the already-heated controversy surrounding the town of Trinidad’s water quality surged. The family of the girl claims that an independent water test confirmed the presence of dangerously high levels of chlorine in the water. The incident follows weeks after the equally controversial arrest of a citizen journalist who had reported on anecdotes of other community members being hospitalized because of apparent bacteria in their water. The journalist was arrested – but not indicted – for supposedly raising a “false alarm.” A protester’s arrest and a judge’s sudden termination thereafter only added to the questions.
Residents claim they have been ignored and dismissed by town officials. Several posts detailing an inability to drink, bathe in, or wash clothes in water were reportedly made on the local police department’s social media page. A news report demonstrated the seeming dirty and foul-smelling state of the water. An online water quality report details several alleged health violations and makes note of four reported PFAS compounds in the water, which was deemed in the report to be of “poor quality.” And when town leaders canceled a planned “water workshop” without explanation, concerned community members gathered outside of city hall demanding answers and accountability.
Sign the petition below to help ensure they get both.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Director La Caille,
The residents of Trinidad have been suffering from seemingly poor and dangerous water quality for months. Following several reports of hospitalizations due to bacteria exposure, the latest high-profile incident involved a teen girl who apparently suffered burns over most of her body simply from taking a shower. How have Trinidad’s officials responded? They have arrested journalists and activists; they have issued a single boiled water advisory; they have only agreed to “look into” a committee to study the problem; and they have canceled promised meetings with community members desperate for help and for answers.
Show this small town that Texas will not ignore their problems and will fully address threats to their health and well-being. Launch a full investigation into the Trinidad water supply. Most importantly, inform and aid its residents in resolving this growing potential public health crisis.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Steve A. Johnson
