The City of Jacksonville has addressed the first step in fixing the current water emergency.
WLDS-WEAI News met with Mayor Andy Ezard at around noon on Tuesday for an update on the water main break.
Ezard says the water main was repaired at around 11 a.m., but crews are still hard at work addressing what to do next.
“They are formulating a game plan to get the water plant back online and producing fresh water. Then they basically will go online and push the water back into the main that was repaired and into the other mains. That is a process because you can’t jam a lot of water with high pressure into a main when you shut down a water plant,” says Ezard.
Ezard was thrilled when he heard the water main had been repaired, but realizes the city has a long way to go.
“Conservation still is the key. The boil order is in place. There is a lot of testing to be done, as far as our water. We anticipate the boil order to still be in place for 24 to 48 hours,” notes Ezard.
Ezard complimented the community and surrounding area for taking quick action and being well prepared for this situation.
During the second press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Jacksonville ESDA Director Phil McCarty stated that Jacksonville, at one point, was limited to hours of available water. He added water is being replenished “by the minute” and things are looking better.
“Yes the main has been patch, but we are bringing the system up gradually and you are going to see gradual increases in pressure back to normal. That doesn’t mean your water is potable. We have to send samples off for testing and we are still under a strict boil order until, our anticipation is for the next 48 hours, or until you are notified we are lifting the boil order.”
The damage and cost to the city hasn’t been determined yet.
Included in Jacksonville’s water emergency is the Scott/Morgan/Greene Water Co-op, Alexander Rural Water, Murrayville-Woodson Water Commission and Village of Manchester.
The North Morgan Water Co-op is NOT on the list of agencies for the boil order tied to the Jacksonville water emergency.
Anyone in need of water can bring containers to the South Jacksonville Fire Department. Water will be supplied until 7 p.m.
For complete audio of the Tuesday afternoon press conference click below.