Welcome to City of Beeville, Texas

                                                     TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES

                                                                                                                                                                            Sept. 6, 2017

      Texas to conduct aerial mosquito control in wake of Hurricane Harvey

The rain left behind by Hurricane Harvey has created large areas where mosquitoes can lay their eggs. To address increasing numbers of mosquitoes and the risk they pose to the recovery effort and public health, the Texas Department of State Health Services has activated its contract for aerial mosquito control and requested additional mosquito control assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Aerial spraying targeting mosquitoes will begin around dusk Thursday over Refugio and Bee counties, weather permitting.

Most mosquitoes that appear after floods are nuisance mosquitoes that don’t spread disease but can have a serious effect on recovery operations by preventing responders and people affected by a disaster from being outside. Areas of standing water can also increase the number of mosquitoes capable of spreading diseases like West Nile virus and Zika.

Aerial application of insecticide,when applied according to label instructions by a licensed professional, is the most effective way to rapidly reduce the number of mosquitoes in a large area and does not present a risk to people, pets or other animals.

A small amount of insecticide, one to two tablespoons per acre, is dispersed by airplanes equipped with nozzles that create ultra-low volume droplets just the right size to kill mosquitoes. The tiny droplets are calibrated to float in the air for a period of time and kill adult mosquitoes on contact while limiting exposure to other animals and people. Once any remaining droplets settle to the ground, they quickly break down on surfaces, in water and in sunlight.

The small amount of insecticide used does not pose a health risk to people, pets or the environment in the area. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, people may prefer to stay inside and close windows and doors when spraying takes place, but it is not necessary.

Spraying is also done to minimize any effects on beneficial insects like bees. Applications will be done starting around dusk when mosquitoes are most active and after bees have returned to their hives for the night. The insecticides dissipate and break down quickly in the environment, and when bees emerge in daylight, they are not affected. Although this type of application will not cause a significant exposure for bees, beekeepers may choose to cover their colonies and prevent bees from exiting during treatment.

Flights will be conducted by Clarke, Texas’ environmental services contractor, using threetwin-engine Beechcraft King Airplanes. Crews will be working from dusk to dawn beginning Thursday night with Refugio and Bee counties, areas identified as priorities. Texas is also expecting additional support from the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 910th Airlift Wing flying two specially equipped C-130H cargo planesin the coming daysin areas over the upper Texas coast. DSHS will continue to update information as flight plans are finalized.

People can help control mosquitoes during the recovery effort by dumping out standing water around their homes and businesses and applying a commercially available larvicide in water that can’t be drained. People should also avoid mosquito bites by using an EPA-registered mosquito repellent every time they go outside and making sure their window and door screens are in good repair after the storm to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

-30-

(News Media Contact: Chris Van Deusen, DSHS Director of Media Relations, 512-776-7119)

DSHS Press Office on Twitter

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
John Hellerstedt, M.D.
Commissioner

                                            Boil Water Notice for the City of Beeville Remains in Effect

Due to a recent sampling of the City tap water that failed to register an adequate level of residual chlorine in the sample, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)has required the City of Beeville public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g. washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water can be used for all non-consumptive measures (i.e. showering, laundry, et. cet).

The City is continuing the monitoring and sampling steps with the TCEQ and Department of Health. The steps include the collection of samples with a TCEQ staff member on site. Sampling did not begin until 11:45am today and results indicate areas within the City that do not meet the required Chlorine residual.

Due to the sampling process, it is expected that the notice will remain in effect to the beginning of next week. Once samples are taken they are then delivered to a certified testing laboratory in Corpus Christi. Following a 24 hour holding time, the results are delivered to TCEQ in Corpus Christi and based on the sample results the Agency decides whether to recommend the lifting of the boil water order. As mentioned it is expected that no notice will remain in effect until the beginning of next week. Until that time, the Boil Water Order remains in effect.

The initial complaint was filed for a localized area that is known to have low water usage and water in the system with a high water age (sits in the pipe for long periods of time). The water ban notice requested by TCEQ has been initiated for the entire City. There are two reasons for this. First, the TCEQ was uncertain that the problem was limited to a local area. Daily monitoring has established that low Chlorine residuals exist in other areas that have low water use, dead ends, and high aged water in the system.

Also, the City’s water system is based on three water pressure planes. These pressure planes indicate that the water in the pipes is located at the same elevation or height. This allows the water within a pressure plane to travel anywhere within that plane. (See Water Distribution Map.) Additionally, there are areas within the pressure plane that always have periods where water stays in the system for longer periods of time creating aged or older water. (See Water Age Map.) The initial violation was identified in one of these areas (Tyler/Hefferman/Grammer Streets). Also, the warmer temperatures result in a shorter time for the chlorine to evaporate in the water. This also causes low chlorine residuals and requires additional chlorine needs to be added to the water supply system.

In summary, areas of the Madison/Mussett water pressure plane (Beeville’s downtown area),with areas of low water use (as indicated in the City’s Water Distribution and Water Age Maps), are most susceptible to have water with insufficient chlorine residuals.

In summary, areas of the Downtown Beeville with areas of low water use (as indicated in the two City maps are most susceptible to water with insufficient chlorine residuals.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact City Manager William DiLibero at 361-542-9327 or Utilities Director Wayne Shaffer at 361-362-5698; 400 North Washington Street, Beeville Texas.

Contact: William A. DiLibero
Beeville City Manager
August 2, 2017 5:30 pm

The City of Beeville is dedicated to delivering services in a timely fashion using cost effective methods that enhance the quality of life for all residents.  This commitment will be accomplished by following fiscal discipline and stewardship, maintaining open communication and providing excellent customer service.