Water Turned Back On In The City Of Wagoner

Craig Day, News On 6

WAGONER, Oklahoma -- The City of Wagoner has water again. City officials said Tuesday morning, the fix at the water treatment plant is in place and the water treatment plant has been turned back on.

A mechanical problem over the weekend forced the city to shut off all water access in Wagoner and the surrounding Rural Water District 6 Monday.

7/26/2011 Related Story: City Of Wagoner Struggles With Water Plant Shut Down

Like many people in Wagoner, Darrell and Joy Morgan are thrilled to have water service again. Water is flowing from the tap, they can wash clothes. They're happy water customers.

"When you don't have water, there's not a whole lot you can do around the house," Joy Morgan said.

Wagoner residents and customers of rural water district six have been without water for several days after problems at the city water plant. A sudden jump in demand led to a broken filter, which shut down service.

"Basically we were getting to the max on our water plant which naturally was starting to stress it out, and the result was a mechanical failure," said Public Works Director Dwayne Elam.

The city set up several locations where people could get water. But when the manufacturer said it would be four to six weeks before a 10 by 15 foot replacement metal filter could be made, city crews ordered parts and fabricated their own.

It's a big win in the public works world.

"We had guys pulling all hours to get this thing back in place, back operational so we could get the plant up and running for the customers," Elam said.

The Morgan's appreciate the hard work, and so do many other Wagoner residents who've been without water.

"That's great. We need to pat them on the back. Because it's serious. We were in good shape we thought," Darrell Morgan said.

Water should also be boiled until the State Department of Environmental Quality can finish testing and give the all clear. Mandatory outdoor watering restrictions remain in place until the water towers are filled.