Dirty water, foul odor and chemical burn claims fuel outrage over troubled North Texas water system
A fight over clean water is underway in the city of Trinidad, where concerns about water quality are growing, prompting residents to demand action.
Residents said they've been dealing with discolored water, sediments, and foul odors for months, and some said the problem has now become a health concern. While water is essential to life, in the city of Trinidad, that lifeline is deteriorating.
"If we had the flashlight here, you'll see a lot of particles and stuff," said Misty Logan, a longtime Trinidad resident. "Discoloration, sometimes it looks really orange, brown, smells like lake water, even sometimes when it's clear, it smells like lake water."
Logan said the city's water is a painful reminder of the agony she claims it caused her 16-year-old daughter, MacKenzie.
"She was on my floor crying... literally burning head to toe," Logan said. "She said some spots itched; she got a couple sores off of it on her leg."
Logan said a doctor determined her daughter suffered chemical burns likely following repeated exposure to something in the water.
"Afraid of water": residents describe growing crisis
"Never thought that we'd be afraid of water," she said.
They've now filed a lawsuit.
Jennifer Combs, who lives in Kerens, shares their attorney and has also filed a lawsuit.
"The water is the main issue and residents were being silenced," she said. "I got involved because a 70-year-old woman was basically bullied online, and her post was taken down, and all she was asking for was where she could find water to be donated."
Combs says at the center of this was the former Trinidad police chief, Charles Gregory.
"So the police chief took my post, took a screenshot of it, posted it on the Police Dept's page, and made a big long speech about inciting the public in a panic," Combs said.
She says she was arrested on a felony charge of making a false alarm or report and went to jail for 23 hours. That charge was later dropped. Then the city's police chief resigned.
Last month, she filed the lawsuit.
"It's against the police department and it's against the council members and the city of Trinidad," she said.
Combs says she also attended this meeting, wanting to learn more about the water issue.
Mayor cites aging infrastructure and funding challenges
"Like a lot of small towns, we've got infrastructure that's very old," Mayor Dennis Haws said.
Residents said the water concerns are nothing new. Several said they've dealt with sediment, discoloration and foul-smelling water for years.
Beth Callingsworth said she and others have repeatedly brought these concerns to city council members and the city administrator, with little progress.
"They made it clear, especially in the last meeting that they don't care," Callingsworth said. "I'm watching people suffer. There are so many immunocompromised here, and disabled and elderly and children."
Trinidad Mayor Dennis Haws agrees the water issues are alarming.
"Like a lot of small towns, we've got a lot of infrastructure that's very old, we have a water plant that's pretty old," said Hayes.
Residents said while they feel some city leaders are listening, others are not taking the crisis seriously. Haws said finding the money to fix the water system is a challenge.
"We need help, we need help," said Haws.
In April, the city of Trinidad and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a boil water notice after numerous complaints from residents. But it was lifted two days later. The city then notified the state that it would change the disinfectant used in its water distribution system because of ongoing concerns. TCEQ confirmed to CBS News Texas that it has received multiple complaints regarding Trinidad's water quality, and said the investigation is ongoing.
"It's not easy for a small town like Trinidad to address these issues, " said Haws. It's very expensive to dig these pipes up and put new pipes in."
Multiple lawsuits filed
At least five residents have filed lawsuits against the city tied to the growing tensions inside the community. Attorney CJ Grisham represents several of those plaintiffs.
"What it really boils down to is corruption and incompetence," Grisham said. "We're going to litigate this issue until our clients feel like they've gotten justice. We're going to ensure that the people are held responsible who are responsible."
CBS News Texas reached out to all city council members and the city's administrator to ask them about the ongoing water issues, but after numerous emails, they did not return the request for comment.
Last week, residents organized their own town hall, searching for solutions and hoping to put pressure on leaders to act.
"It's scary and we have a lot of concern," said Callingsworth. "Do you see it? There's a lot of emotion in these meetings. Hopefully, today, because this is all we've asked for years, is a beginning."
Haws is also calling for additional state assistance, such as bringing in the Texas Rangers to investigate the city's ongoing issues, but any of those actions will take time.
As for Logan, whose family now uses bottled water and takes showers outside the city, she said time is something she and her neighbors simply don't have.
"We need our pipes fixed. We need good clean water, that's what it boils down to... Someone to take accountability for what happened to my child, too," Logan said. "We need action. Let's get it fixed."
City Council meeting held over water crisis
A city council meeting was held on Thursday, where the council approved the purchase of a single water turbidity meter, saying it will buy more time.
"Best result the state comes in and makes changes and fixes the water for the people," Combs said.
Both she and the Logans say this issue is far from being resolved. City leaders have called a special meeting for next Thursday.
CBS News Texas reached out to all city council members and the city's administrator to ask them about the ongoing water issues, but after numerous emails, they did not return our request for comment.
