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Crews Working To Fix Major Water Line Break In Athens
By: Atish Baidya
Posted on:
UPDATE 3:20 p.m. The city of Athens is lifting a water shortage alert in place earlier Tuesday following a major water line repair that left much of the Uptown area and parts of Ohio University's campus without water service.
According to a press release from the city's Engineering and Public Works Department, citizens are still asked to conserve water and a water shortage advisory is still in effect.
Crews are now re-filling the water system and the process must be done slowly.
Several fire hydrants around town will remain open during the re-filling.
The water line break and repair work stirred up iron residue in the bottom of the lines and may result in water discoloration.
Residents are asked to avoid doing any white laundry while discoloration is present.
UPDATE 2:42 p.m. Ohio University officials report crews with the city of Athens have completed major repairs to a water transmission line that left most of Uptown Athens with limited or no water service.
In an alert on the Ohio University webpage, officials say other repairs still remain.
City officials asked residents to conserve water Tuesday as crews work to repair the damaged lines.
OU is setting up portable toilets at various locations around campus beginning at 3 p.m. Bottled water is also being delivered to selected locations for residential students.
The break forced restaurants like Sol, Chipotle and Fluff to close early, according to postings on the businesses' respective Facebook pages.
Outpatient services were closed at O’Bleness Family Medicine & Women’s Health Center. The hospital says it is taking steps to conserve water. Patients with appointments at Castrop Center should call their doctor to check on office hours.
The Engineering and Public Works Department says break happened Monday on North Congress Street.
Crews had to drain one of the city's reservoirs at Highland Park to a low level as part the repair effort. The reservoir serves the uptown area of the city.
UPDATE 12:01 p.m. The City of Athens is asking residents to conserve water after a “major” break to a water transmission line and several smaller distribution lines.
The Engineering and Public Works Department says break happened Monday on North Congress Street.
Crews will be draining the city reservoir at Highland Park to a low level as part the repair effort. The reservoir serves the Uptown area of the city. Public Works said customers may experience water shortages or outages Tuesday.
The breaks forced the closure of the Athens County Courthouse and Annex. Athens City Schools will be releasing students at 12:30 p.m. at the middle and high schools and at 1:30 p.m. at the elementary schools because of the break.
Ohio University also sent out an alert notifying students and staff that facilities could experience low water pressure. In an alert on the OU webpage, officials say College Green and buildings on upper campus, including Bromely and Scott Quad would be some of the buildings impacted by the break. The university say emergency bathrooms are available at Baker.
Outpatient services at O’Bleness Family Medicine & Women’s Health Center are closed. The hospital says it is taking steps to conserve water. Patients with appointments at Castrop Center should call their doctor to check on office hours.
Residents are banned from washing vehicles; running outdoor fountains, reflecting and artificial waterfalls; watering non-agricultural plants; and filling private swimming pools.
A boil order has also been issued for the following streets:
Pine Place
Fremont Avenue
West Carpenter Street
First Street
Walker Street
Officials don’t know when repairs will be completed.
The City of Athens is asking residents to conserve water after a “major” break to a water transmission line and several smaller distribution lines.
The Engineering and Public Works Department says break happened Monday on North Congress Street.
Crews will be draining the city reservoir at Highland Park to a low level as part the repair effort. The reservoir serves the Uptown area of the city. Public Works said customers may experience water shortages or outages Tuesday.
The breaks forced the closure of the Athens County Courthouse and Annex. Athens City Schools will be releasing students at 12:30 p.m. at the middle and high schools and at 1:30 p.m. at the elementary schools because of the break.
Ohio University also sent out an alert notifying students and staff that facilities could experience low water pressure.
Residents are banned from washing vehicles; running outdoor fountains, reflecting and artificial waterfalls; watering non-agricultural plants; and filling private swimming pools.
A boil order has also been issued for the following streets:
Pine Place
Fremont Avenue
West Carpenter Street
First Street
Walker Street
Officials don’t know when repairs will be completed.