West Virginia American Water Response to Flood-Related Operational Impacts Continues

West Virginia American Water continues its emergency response to isolated operational impacts from this week’s flooding. Throughout the day today, water was restored to approximately 1700 customers in the Wills Creek and Frame Road areas of Elkview. West Virginia American Water crews continue working to repressurize the system to Clendenin, while additional contracting crews prepare to lay temporary water lines in four locations along Rt. 4 between Clendenin and Queen Shoals where sections of roadway washed out.

Restoration efforts were slowed today by multiple instances of illegal fire hydrant use in the Wills Creek area. West Virginia American Water reminds residents that the only personnel authorized to operate fire hydrants are water company workers and fire departments when fighting fires.

“We understand that citizens in flood-impacted areas need water for clean-up work, which is why our employees are working around the clock to restore water service in a systematic and deliberate manner to best ensure the success of the operation,” said Jeffrey McIntyre, President of West Virginia American Water. “Unauthorized fire hydrant use not only slows the restoration process by reducing the amount of water available in the system, but also presents the potential for additional water main breaks and fire hydrant damage, which also setback the emergency response operations of our hardworking men and women.”

Restoring a flood-damaged water system requires a systematic approach of restoring water service in sections between valves, identifying and repairing main breaks along the way and laying temporary lines across washed-out river and creek crossings. Booster stations must be cleared of debris and mud and returned to operation with generators or bypassed with temporary pumps if they are too badly damaged to repair quickly. West Virginia American Water expects the full restoration of water service to areas with severe flood damage will take several days.

Potable water tankers are available at the following locations for customers to fill containers:

• Herbert Hoover High School in Elkview
• Clendenin Park & Ride at Clendenin exit off I-79
• Dollar General on Maywood Avenue in Clendenin
• Smith’s Foodfair in Clendenin
• Corner of Lizmore Road and River Haven Road off of the Queen Shoals Bridge
• Keeneys Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Winona

Updates on water tanker locations will be posted on the company’s website and Facebook page.

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