The recent freezing temperatures are still having impacts on some Kentucky communities including Jackson County, where some outlying residents have not had water for over a week now.
Tim Madden, Jackson County Water Association Board director, says the freezing weather produced another storm of sorts with many busted pipes in the Countys own infrastructure and many customers homes. “We found water running out of homes for days where no one was home, said Madden. There were dozens of instances of such breaks residentially, as well as in our own system. You also have the added load of customers dripping or running water to keep pipes from freezing,” Madden added.
In Jackson County, the capabilities are to pull 1400 gallons per minute to the treatment plant to go into the clear well tank for distribution to the County’s 9 water tanks that provide water to everyone. The water company pushed out 1500 gallons per minute to try to meet demand, but was losing 100 gallons per minute in the process.
Meaning, that there is just not enough water built back up to get to outlying small tanks like Grassy Springs near the Estill/ Jackson County border.
The Water Association in conjunction with Jackson County EMA has supplied drinking water to many of those customers adversely affected by this situation.
“Several thousand customers a day conserving a few gallons adds up to a big difference and will help get all our county’s tanks back filled back to capacity and fully restore water county wide.” Madden said.
Plant management reports as of midday Tuesday, some Grassy Springs customers were receiving water now, and the Water District continues to work around the clock to restore water to all remaining customers as soon as possible.
