Dam Breach Continues To Cause Water System Complications For Barnsdall

There are new problems for a water district in Osage County just weeks after a dam breach at Lake Waxhoma.

Barnsdall's water is back online after its pumps broke down earlier this week. Osage County just cannot seem to catch a break, but Barnsdall Mayor Johnny Kelley said they aren't giving up. 

Related Story: Barnsdall Police: Breach Reported At Lake Waxhoma Dam

Both the main and backup pumps that send water from Lake Waxhoma to the treatment plant broke on Wednesday, leaving much of Osage County without water until last night.  

"There's several things that depend on this water," Kelley said.  

Kelley said there was slight water discoloration when residents first turned their taps back on, but he said it is safe.  

“We've done a lot to upgrade the water system here and to fix problems," Kelley said.  

He said old pumps in extreme temperatures are problematic.  

"We still have plenty of problems to fix but we're working on them," Kelley said.  

In addition to the original pump, Barnsdall is now using another higher volume pump that requires less pressure. 

"We're just kind of holding on to see if this pump works,” said Kelley. “Gonna order another like that and put it together."

On the other side of the issue, Kelley said the county's second attempt at a temporary fix to the dam breach is still in place. He told us the drain has been leaking for a long time because they have learned it was poorly designed.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is requiring the lake level stay five feet below the breach, until the water district can permanently fix the problem. 

"But we also want to keep in two foot above the intake so we can continue to provide drinking water for our people," Kelley said.  

Some customers said worrying about water supply has been stressful.  

"That was hard, but we had a of water coming in town, people helping," Keith Ashlock said.

Ashlock is hoping these temporary fixes lead into long term solutions.  

"Everything's starting to look up now," Ashlock said.  

Kelley is hoping for federal assistance. He met with engineers yesterday and is applying for another grant. Kelley said he should know more by July.