COWETA, Okla. — Officials with City of Coweta announced repairs on a damaged 12-inch water main were completed early on Sunday, Sept. 14. The city sent out a notice that water had been turned back on around 2:30 a.m.
However, a boil order remains in effect. Officials said all tap water used for drinking or cooking should be boiled for 2 minutes first. Officials said using the water to shower or bathe was okay, but neighbors are asked to avoid swallowing any water that has not been boiled.
WATCH: Boil order in effect in Coweta: City says showering/bathing OK:
Just before noon on Sept. 14, the city released plans to monitor the water over the coming days. The city said each day during the boil order, samples would be collected and taken to the Tulsa County Health Department to check for the presence of bacteria. The boil order will be lifted when two consecutive days of bacteria-free tests are observed.
Restaurants and gas station fountains in the city are permitted to remain open, presuming they follow the boil order.
The city said Coweta Public Schools is making appropriate preparations to safeguard students while at school.
The issue began with a broken 12-inch water main near 121st Street and Highway 51.
"Unfortunately, they ran into a problem on (Sept. 12)," Coweta city manager Julie Casteen told 2 News on Sept. 13. "We had planned to have the water off for a few hours Friday while school was out for the fall festival…Two contractors came (and) tried. (They) couldn't get it done. Now we have a third contractor here."
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City crews were unable to finish the work due to issues locating shutdown valves, meaning crews were working underwater.
On Sept. 13, the city released a statement saying that due to the ongoing open, active water line, an immediate boil order was being issued.
Water was shut down to the entire city on Sept. 13 so repairs could be completed, Casteen said.
The city said it apologizes to residents and businesses, and confirmed to 2 News it had severed ties with the contractor behind the original job and another set of pipes that leaked at 294th East Avenue and 138th Street on Sept. 14 that were installed several years ago.
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