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Public commenter alleges arsenic, E. coli and other contamination in Greenwood wells as court approves NEST subdivision variance
Summary
During public comment on a variance for the NEST subdivision, a resident alleged Greenwood is experiencing a water crisis — including boil notices and private lab tests showing arsenic, chloroform and E. coli — while the court granted a variance to proceed with subdivision design; the court did not resolve the water allegations on the record.
At the June 17 Midland County Commissioners Court meeting, the court authorized a variance for the NEST Subdivision (reducing the right‑of‑way from 60 feet to 50 feet with compensating outside utility easements and a pavement thickness change) so the developer may proceed with design and subsequent platting.
Engineer Claudius Sanchez (S21), representing the developer, described the subdivision as an affordable‑housing project west of the high school and said engineering analyses justify the requested pavement thickness reduction and right‑of‑way configuration. The court approved the variance to allow the developer to complete design work and return with a final plat.
During the public‑comment portion of the item, resident Shandy Williams (S18) raised an unrelated but urgent water‑quality allegation affecting Greenwood, saying privately obtained test results showed contaminants. "We have absolutely no water out there and the water that we do have is tainted. We've already had it privately tested at Martin Water Labs. It contains arsenic, chloroform, contains E. coli, and contains extremely high levels of chloride," Williams said. The judge interrupted and ended the speaker’s time before a substantive county response or staff follow‑up was recorded.
No county staff response or investigation outcome is recorded on the meeting transcript. The court’s action on the subdivision variance was separate from the comment; the variance motion passed.
Context and next steps: The public comment contains specific allegations that are unresolved in the meeting record. County staff or the appropriate state agencies (for example, TCEQ or the Public Utility Commission) would be the officials responsible for investigating drinking water complaints and test results; the court did not record any immediate referral or follow‑up.
Quote: "We have already had it privately tested at Martin Water Labs. It contains arsenic, chloroform, contains E. coli, and contains extremely high levels of chloride," Williams (S18) said during public comment; the court cut the comment short when time expired.
The variance for the NEST Subdivision was authorized; any plat and final approvals will return to the court when design is complete.
