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Schools are closed due to nearly 1,000 residents losing access to running water for second day

Posted at 5:49 PM, Apr 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-19 19:24:22-04

Schools are closed and residents are complaining as Okmulgee County officials are working to resolve the loss of running water due to an issue regarding the main water pump. 

After sever thunderstorms hit most of Eastern Oklahoma Sunday and Monday, a central Okmulgee water tower suffered a leak and slowed the water supply to many of the surrounding areas. 

However, it wasn't until engineers at the Okmulgee Rural Water District 2 began rushing large amounts of water to restore the draining tower did the pump fail and shut off the water supply. 

Director of Okmulgee County Management, Tim Craighton, says crews are working to resolve the issue quickly. 

"Rural Water District 2 is working very hard and long hours to get this back up and running," Craighton said.

In order to remedy the situation, officials placed large water tanks holding hundreds of gallons of water near Twin Hills Elementary and Preston High School to offer residents an alternative while water remains scarce.

A.D. Ellis has lived in Twin Hills for more than 80 years and says the tanks are not enough.

"My sister is 94-years old. She can't get up there to get water," Ellis said.

Currently, crews are working to restore water first to the more highly populated Preston area while those near Twin Hills wait to be helped. 

"I would advise them to hire some knowledgeable people and if they cant get them right then, there's lots of rural water departments around here. Go to them and ask for help," Ellis said.  

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