FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here today. My name is Jay Callaway, and I serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator/IC for Snyder and Scurry County. I’ll be providing an update and answering questions about the chemical incident at Snyder’s Water Treatment Plant.
At approximately 12:27PM Emergency Services were requested at the Snyder Water Treatment Plant for a chemical incident. Emergency crews arrived on scene at approximately 12:31PM to find a delivery truck offloading chemicals into the incorrect tank. Due to the nature of the chemical, initial concerns were threat of explosion and release of toxic fumes. Crews immediately began evacuations north of the filter plant in a half mile perimeter. We worked closely with the City of Snyder and the Public Works Department, Snyder Police Department who helped traffic control, and Scurry County EMS who was on scene to ensure safety of residents. Abilene Fire & Hazmat was also notified for assistance on scene and have confirmed the chemical as chlorine dioxide. At 4:25pm all levels are safe outside the fencing at the water plant.
For residents in the affected area, please note the following:
- The evacuation notice has been lifted for all voluntary evacuees. It is safe to return home.
- Updates can be found on our website, snydertx.gov or the City of Snyder Facebook
We’re aware of some misinformation circulating on social media. To be clear:
- No injuries have been reported
- The water is safe to drink and was never compromised
- There was never an explosion causing fire, rather a small pressure release
We understand how disruptive this is and want to reassure the community that we’re working hard to restore normalcy. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
Please follow City of Snyder on Facebook or visit snydertx.gov for real-time updates. We’ll provide another update at 9PM at 37th & Ave M.
That concludes our statement.