Newport Utilities declares state of emergency for all water operations

SUNDAY, Sept. 29 ( UPDATE ) — Newport Utilities has declared a state of emergency for all water operations and asked customers to observe critical water conservation protocols.

An update from the utility provider said that all customers can expect to experience a water disruption within the next 24 hours depending on your area of service.

In an update shared around 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Newport Utilities said that many water storage tanks were nearing their minimums and asked customers to observe critical water conservation protocol. These guidelines include drinking bottled water, using stored water to flush toilets, not filling bathtubs, turning off power to water heaters, and not using appliances that use water.

“We experienced major damage to many of our crucial treatment systems, resulting in our inability to circulate treated water to our customers. We will gradually restore service based on proximity to our treatment plant as repairs are being made in the coming weeks,” Newport Utilities wrote on social media. “Once again, this restoration estimate is an approximation based on our evaluation of the significant damage to our system. Restoration will likely extend into the coming weeks for some customers.”

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NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) — Newport Utilities has announced that all customers need to boil their water, and asks that all customers limit their water usage.

According to the utility provider, all Newport Utility water customers are under a Boil Water Alert.

Those affected by the Boil Water Alert are advised to boil water for 3 minutes before consuming it or to drink bottled water. The utility provider added that special care should be taken to avoid swallowing water while bathing, and that customers in the affected area should take precautions when washing dishes to avoid illness.

Newport Utilities previously shared Friday evening that the water system in some areas may be contaminated due to flooding. The areas the utility provider said should boil their water before using it included:

• Denton Road
• Lindsey Gap Road
• The town of Hartford
• Big Creek Road from Hartford to Cabbage County Road

A few hours later, Newport Utilities also asked all of its customers to conserve water over the next 24 hours. The utility provider’s water service is still available, but customers are asked to only use water as necessary over the next 24 hours to conserve water storage.

Earlier in the day, the Sevier County Water Department also asked for people in some areas to conserve water because of critically low water levels.

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