BARNSDALL, Okla. – The City of Barnsdall could soon have a new filtration system that was previously promised, says the mayor.
The intent of the filtration system was to raise the quality of the drinking water for citizens. Originally the system was supposed to be installed at an earlier datebut some issues with the control panel pushed the date back further.
Schools in Barnsdall were closed early on Tuesday and classes were canceled on Wednesday due to low water pressure. Classes were back on Thursday, however, when water pressure was restored. Staff and students continue to use bottled water, Loggins reported on the school's Facebook page.
Rick Loggins Barnsdall Public Schools Superintendent said “Osage County Emergency Management Service had brought us about 60 cases of bottled water and so we had drinking water and water to use in our cafeteria, but it was just that we could not flush the toilets.”
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Mayor Brock Moore sent a statement on Wednesday saying “We are having glitches while the control panels are being programmed for the new filter unit. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. This project started in March and we are almost there. The City of Barnsdall's goal is to supply quality drinking water to its customers for years to come.”
The city started installing the new the system soon after the Department of Environmental Quality issued a boil water advisory in February. Mayor Brock Moore confirmed via Facebook that the boil advisory was "precautionary" not mandatory."
Some residents in town also say they did not have running water for days.
“We haven’t had water for three days, as you can see, no water, haven’t been able to take a bath, dishes are stacking up, can’t do laundry, said Barnsdall resident James Wilson.
Mayor Brock Moore said the city has been working on a new $589,000 water filtration system since March.
Moore released a statement to 2 Works or You acknowledging the city is experiencing “glitches” in the control panels, but he sees light at the end of the tunnel and says the project is almost finished.
After a number of boil advisories and orders through the years, residents like James Wilson said he’ll believe it when he sees it.
“I just want it fixed. We pay an outrageous price, so you’d think it would work,” said Wilson.
