Residents frustrated over Zip City water situation, boil advisory remains in effect

FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — Water supply in Lauderdale County’s Zip City Community has been mostly restored after multiple system leaks, but some are hoping this will be a lesson their water provider can learn from as they remain under a boil water advisory.

Chisholm Heights Water Authority (CHWA) issued the boil notice this past weekend after leaks in its system were discovered that caused widespread water outages.

When Zip City resident Mike Kelly returned home from vacation over the weekend, he knew the brown-colored water coming from his home was a major problem.

“I was afraid to brush my teeth, I had a C. Diff back in 2014 and I was afraid of getting another bacteria (infection) like that, I was even afraid to wash clothes,” Kelly said.

CHWA passed 50% capacity within its water supply Wednesday as it continues to recover in what officials said was an aging system that’s responsible for it all, a system that is being addressed through renovation projects.

For Kelly, the water situation is one thing, but his biggest issue is what he calls a lack of communication on behalf of CHWA and residents in Zip City that he feels needs to improve quickly.

“When we have problems, I have to kind of figure it out on my own if it’s something on my end if it’s a broke pipe or if it’s something they’re working on or if they even know about it,” Kelly said. “We never know what’s going on.”

Some households are still dealing with water pressure issues and some didn’t have water again until the early portion of this week. While progress has been made, Lauderdale County EMA Director Brad Holmes is urging people to remain cautious about their water quality.

“We recognize that people are beginning to see water flow within the system, but we would ask for their safety and the safety of their pets and their family not to consume that,” Holmes explained. “It’s still appropriate and ok to use that water for washing dishes, for washing clothes, and for taking baths.”

CHWA with the help of other water companies has since fixed those leaks. With the assistance of others, bottled water has been given to residents throughout the community who are in need.

Kelly says he feels for his neighbors who are less fortunate who might not have people looking out for them during this difficult time.

“It could be life or death for somebody, for me it’s an inconvenience I can still get around thankfully, but I’m sure there are others that can’t,” Kelly told News 19.

CHWA is asking the community to remain patient as they continue to deal with a boil advisory.

Officials say once their water tank reaches 100% capacity, the water can then be tested by the state, but that process won’t be completed until at least Thursday evening or early Friday.

The Florence/Lauderdale EMA is continuously updating its Facebook page regarding the ongoing issue that can be found here .

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