The freezing temperatures are causing big problems for Blount County. The leaks from bursting pipes have caused the water supply to some tanks to decrease leaving some without water and others potentially getting contaminants. If you have water from Oneonta you should boil it or use bottled water instead. below is the notice from the Utilities Board.
Due to the abnormal severe cold weather causing multiple frozen pipes to burst and creating leaks along with a large high service pump being electrically damaged, several residences have been experiencing low water pressure.
The Board’s Staff hired contractors, and others are working diligently around the clock on repairing the leaking mains as quickly as possible. Additionally, the large high-service pump has been reinstalled at 6:00 P. M. this evening and the transfer of additional water back to the system has resumed.
If you are experiencing low water pressure or loss of water, please check your plumbing and service lines for frozen pipes or leaks. If a leak is encountered on the customer side of the meter, please call for assistance in turning off the service at the meter if your line is not equipped with a cutoff. Additionally, water conservation is critical over the next few days to allow for the tanks and system to return to normal operation.
At this time, we can not give an estimated time it will take to restore full pressure and service to the system. However, to help the situation, the Board is requesting that all residents stop dripping faucets when it is above freezing, washing clothes, or utilization of water that can be avoided. This will help remedy the situation quicker by allowing water to remain in the mains and fill the tanks. The Board understands this is inconvenient, especially during this holiday season. However, multiple Utilities throughout the State of Alabama are experiencing these same issues. Please be patient as we are working tirelessly to resolve the issue.
Additionally, until further notice residents are recommended to boil water or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, food preparation, or other consumption until service has been restored and this advisory has been updated. It is recommended that water be boiled vigorously for one minute before consuming it after it cools down.
We understand that several areas are experiencing low pressure. Our staff is answering calls as quickly as possible on leaks and other items. The water department is aware of the low-pressure areas. Please refrain from calling about low pressure to allow for leak calls to be reached.
Below is a list of areas that are currently affected:
- Sawyer Mtn Area
- Palisades Area
- Mt. Brow Area
- Areas of Higher Elevations on the Board’s System
Additional information on boil water advisories and CDC recommendations can be found at www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory.html
Please contact the Board’s office at 205-274-2159 anytime 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you notice a main leak, have questions or need assistance turning off your service due to a leak. We are here for you-24 hours a day-7 days a week. Working together we can get through this! Thanks for your patience.