A significant water line break has left some residents in Mingo County without service as crews work to restore the system.
Officials said the issue began Friday after debris built up around an old bridge between Lenore and Naugatuck, diverting water and eroding the creek bank. The erosion pulled out a line critical to moving water from the plant, disrupting service to multiple communities.
Service Director Chris Varney said while the repair itself is relatively straightforward, accessing the damaged line proved challenging due to high water levels. Crews used heavy equipment to navigate the terrain and reach the site.
The local plant operates near its two-million-gallon daily capacity, typically producing about 1.8 to 1.9 million gallons per day. Because the system runs linearly — with each tank feeding the next — a break near the first tank can impact customers farther down the line, particularly in higher elevations.
Temporary stabilization efforts include reinforcing the creek bank with rock. Officials said assistance from FEMA will likely be needed for a more permanent repair, noting that breaks have occurred in the same location before.
Emergency management officials and local groups have been helping provide water to affected residents while repairs continue.
Water was moving through the system Sunday night, and officials said normal service is expected to be restored by the end of Monday.