Communities Without Water for Several Days
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MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn.- More than 1,100 residents in Morris Chapel, Milledgeville and Enville are without running water due to a main water pipe leak, water officials have been struggling to fix for days. “I got up Sunday morning and was going to get ready for church and wasn’t able to take showers and that’s when I first noticed it,” said resident David Weatherford. “We don’t realize how much we depend on it.” Dozens of residents are stocking up on bottled water to get by. Adamsville city administrator Steve Simon told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News there is a major leak somewhere in the water system. Workers shut off the water to customers, to investigate the source. “We are hopeful and I emphasize hopeful that we have at least the area targeted we can get that fixed and be able to get everybody back online,” said Simon. There are currently more than 1,100 customers without water within Hardin, McNairy and Chester County communities. Some residents said they have been without water since Friday. “It’s awful you can’t wash, can’t take a bath, flush your commode, can’t do nothing,” said resident Betty Austin. Utility workers are searching for the leak around the clock, Simon said there is 174 miles of water pipeline within the system. When the water is turned on, the pipe leaks currently leaks an estimated 140 gallons of water per minute. Workers believe the leak is somewhere in Morris Chapel. It is unclear when the water will be turned back on, Simon said when it is, residents living in affected areas should use caution. “As the water comes up the state tells us we need to encourage people to boil their water as a precautionary only.” Due to the water main leak and loss of pressure in the system distribution, all customers in the affected area have a boil water notice as a precaution. Officials said the water should be first strained through a clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating materials then heated to a vigorous boil for at least one minute to ensure disinfection. The city of Adamsville is giving each family a free case of water to help. Residents can get the case of water by bringing proof of residency to the Piggly Wiggly or dollar store in Adamsville as well as the dollar store in Milledgeville. First Baptist Church in Adamsville is also open to anyone needing a shower. Contact Adamsville City Hall for more information at (731) 645-1401. After hours call police on the city’s non-emergency hot line (731) 645-3406.
