Loving Care Learning Center, Castlewood, Texas

Leticia Ramirez washes dishes at Loving Care Learning Center, a day care in the unincorporated community of Castlewood. She says she has to take extraordinary precautions with the water even when it is running and no boil notice is in effect. First the dishes are washed and rinsed regularly, then rinsed with boiling water then rinsed with a bleach and water solution.

Loving Care Learning Center staff in Castlewood, Texas near Houston never know the status of their water until they get to work in the morning and the kids come either way. 

"I love the babies." On days when the water is not drinkable or off they have to buy enough water to flush the toilets, cook with, drink and wash the hands of about thirty 3-4 year olds. 

Boil water notices indicating the water coming from taps in Castlewood is not safe to drink, cook with or even shower with in some cases. Connie Esparza says she stopped trusting the water coming from the taps in her home when in 2014 boil water requirement notices kept coming, even a few days after the last one was lifted.

Suburban Utility Company's water treatment plant in Castlewood sits on a lot between other homes. It is criticized for being outdated,  poorly maintained and at times unsanitary.

Suburban Utility Company's water treatment plant in Castlewood sits on a lot between other homes. It is criticized for being outdated,  poorly maintained and at times unsanitary.

Olivia Gil, Castlewood resident, feels helpless with the water supply situation in her community. She is diabetic, unable to drive and has little trust in Suburban Utility. She relies on her husband and son to buy and transport water for their household.