Erin Brockovich Returns to Midland

A public meeting was held in Midland Thursday evening to discuss contaminated water. It was a meeting that many have been looking forward to. Those that have had to deal with contaminated water are now one step closer to finding justice, and it's been a group effort from the beginning.

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich came to Midland last year after getting a call about contaminated water. She and her associates ran some tests, and found what they're calling “astronomical levels of hexavalent chromium” in the water. Now, one year later, they believe the situation has only gotten worse.

"The chromium numbers aren't coming down. They're coming up. State got out here...many people now have filtration systems, but what we're looking at is a way to control the plume, get these people some fresh water. We're starting to look at health affects and health symptoms and moving forward with litigation," Brockovich said.

Throughout the past year, many studies have been done to find out where the hexavalent chromium is coming from. Brockovich announced that she thinks they've found the source...and it's the same name as she mentioned back in 2009.

"We believe it Schlumberger. The TCEQ...they concluded they don't know who it is. The EPA will come in and take a look now, but in our investigations we're looking at Schlumberger and that is who we named," Brockovich said.

Schlumberger representatives were unavailable for comment when we contacted them on Thursday, but previously they have denied any wrongdoing. Brockovich says this is a team effort and it's up to the community to work together...otherwise nothing will be accomplished. She also said the entire situation is affecting her personally.

"It's worrisome to see so many younger children coming down with rare cancers and so sometimes it's hard for me when I go home at the end of the day not to feel depressed or despondent," Brockovich said.