A story circulating online may have alarmed Texans this week, making claims that parasites were found in a Southeast Texas city’s water supply. But officials say there’s no cause for alarm-the claims are false and were designed to sell products marketed as parasite treatments.
The City of Groves, about 15 miles southeast of Beaumont in Jefferson County, warned residents Friday about a false story spreading on social media. The post, published under the name “The Groves Dispatch,” claimed parasites had been found in the city’s tap water.
“The story, shared on social media under the name ‘The Groves Dispatch,’ claims that contaminated water has gone unreported for six months,” according to a city news release. “It includes an interview with a supposed doctor and claims that local residents have suffered serious health problems.”
Chron found the story shared on Facebook by a local resident. It claims the author collected 31 samples from across the city’s water system over six months and detected “protozoan cysts or helminth larvae” in 71 percent of them. The post says the samples included water from a residential tap, reservoir intake, school drinking fountain and restaurant ice machine.
A street view at Groves City Hall. The city is alerting residents to a fake post circulating on social media claiming the city’s water supply tested positive for parasites. (Google Maps Street View)
The city was first notified of the story late Friday afternoon by the Beaumont Office of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
“After an initial investigation, City Manager Kevin Carruth contacted TCEQ staff, who told him the story is false,” the release reads. “They also reported finding a similar story in Indiana and fake websites linked to the supposed doctor featured in the article.”
The post claims officials issued no warning because routine water tests don’t check for parasites. It then lists severe health effects, including a fabricated account of a Groves woman whose autopsy allegedly found worms in her lungs, before promoting specific treatments.
Similar stories were posted in San Antonio, Corry and Pennsylvania this week, with community names altered to make the story appear to be local.
“These posts use frightening claims to draw readers to products promoted as parasite treatments,” the release reads. “Residents should avoid sharing the story, clicking its links, or buying products based on its claims.”
The city directed residents to grovestx.gov for reliable city information and water notices. Any residents with questions can reach out to the city at 409-960-5773 or through the city’s portal.
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This article originally published at A viral post made terrifying claims about Texas tap water. It was a lie..