Corpus Christi, Texas, Tells Residents Not To Use Tap Water

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A Texas Gulf Coast city is warning its 320,000 residents not to use tap water due to concerns that two chemicals may have contaminated the water supply.

Corpus Christi officials said in a statement that a "back-flow incident" in an industrial area Wednesday may have led the chemicals to seep into the water.

The warning prompted a rush on water at grocery stores, where long lines formed with people pushing carts filled with packages of bottled water.

City Councilman Michael Hunter told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times that it's unlikely the chemicals are concentrated enough to do harm, but officials are "taking every precaution that we can."

Corpus Christi has an aging infrastructure and in May the city issued a boil-water notice that lasted two weeks.