Chemical leak in Corpus Christi reported before public was warned

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A top Corpus Christi official says there were three reports of dirty water before the public was told this week of a chemical leak into the water system that affected 300,000 people.

Assistant City Manager Mark Van Vleck said Saturday that the city first received a “dirty water report” Dec. 1 from the oil refiner Valero-owned administration building at the asphalt plant leased to Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions.

[...] more than a half-dozen lawsuits have been filed against oil refiner Valero and a company it leases a plant to since city officials issued notice of a possible chemical spill Wednesday.