Water Woes Persist for Steubenville Residents
Warren Scott Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- City Manager Jim Mavromatis and other Steubenville officials are asking residents to conserve water and watch for more of the water line breaks that have resulted in a disruption of service to those serviced by the LaBelle pressure system in the Hilltop area.
Mavromatis said the loss of thousands of gallons of water from multiple line breaks in recent days has resulted in city water tanks being below their usual capacity.
As a result, at least 1,500 water customers have been without service for up to three days, but it's a problem he and city crews hope to correct with help of residents. Areas without water include the LaBelle area, Plesant Heights, Brady Estates and Lincoln Heights.
The city manager has asked residents to conserve water until the city's three tanks can be refilled and to report any other possible breaks by calling (740) 283-6041 or the police department's non-emergency number at (740) 283-6090.
Mavromatis said crews have repaired multiple breaks since the Ohio Valley experienced sub-zero weather followed by higher-than-average temperatures that cause aging water lines to freeze, thaw and crack.
Plus, the efficiency of the system used at the city's filtration plant declines as the temperatures drop, making it difficult for the city to produce adequate amounts of treated water.
He said crews were working on three more breaks on Friday morning, and there may be others.
Mavromatis asked residents to check for signs of broken water lines at the homes of neighbors who have gone away for the holidays.
"They (the absent neighbors) won't know until they come home," he noted.
The city manager acknowledged water usage typically rises at this time of the year, when residents often have guests who are sleeping over.
"There is one family of eight with four visitors to their home. That's 12 people there," he said.
But Mavromatis is asking for patience and cooperation and has arranged for water buffaloes to be stationed for residents of the affected areas.
They have been placed at the following locations: for the LaBelle hilltop, the corner of Maryland Avenue and Carnegie Street near one of the city's water tank; for Pleasant Heights, the Ross Park/McKinley School parking lot; for Lincoln Heights, the Finley Church parking lot; and for Brady Estates, the grassy islands near Brady Circle East.
Mavromatis said Trinity Medical Center East is being served by its own water buffaloes, and Trinity Medical Center West on Friday hadn't been affected.
It wasn't clear how many businesses had been affected. Mavromatis said some may have their own water source.
With two restaurants near Harding Middle School closed Friday because of the water issue, the city manager was asked if the school's scheduled opening on Monday might be delayed by a lack of water.
He said that will depend on any issues that arise over the weekend, and school officials will issue a notice, if needed, through their usual channels.