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Home My WebLink About1997 Flood Article #02 shutdown or Ashland's water system, possibly for as long as two weeks By Damon Fouts Ashland Daily Tidings A water emergency has been declared in Ashland, and city water may be shut off for up to two weeks, city officials said this morning. What water is still available could be polluted. ' Ashland City Administrator Brian Almquist declared the emergency Wednesday night. Ashland reservoirs are nearly empty, and the lack of water has shut down the city's water treatment plant. By tonight, the city's water should be shut off completely. ff some residents stE have access to city water, officials urged emphatically that it not be used. The water could have been polluted by sewage lines that may have ruptured. "There is a high potential that the wa- ter is contaminated," said City Recorder Barbara Christensen, who temporarily is serving as a city public information offi- cer. "So it's very Lmportant that people don't use the water, even ff it is still avail- able in their homes." Christensen asked that residents turn off their water heaters. For gas heaters, the heater should be turned down until on- ly the pilot light is on. For electric heaters, the electric breaker should be switched off. The heater could start a fire ff left on, or the heater's element could be destroyed if left on and unsubmerged. Christensen said that as of this morn- ing, there were no reported injuries or health problems related to the flooding in .ashland. She added that people who have used city water during the crisis should see a doctor fithey beg~n vomiting or come down with diarrhea over the next 30 days. Christensen said people should stay away from flooded areas along Ashland Creek, as well as downtown Ashland. She said those areas are dangerous and that the crowds hinder emergency vehicles' ac- cess. Potable water is available at several lo- cations in Ashland. They include Albert- ~ons, Safeway and Ashland Corrnuunity Hospital. National Guard water tanks are located in the most of the parking lots at those locations. Christensen asked that citizens pick up no more than five gallons at a time. Scott Thompson, store director of the :x-lbertson's on Ashland Street, said that A portion of Water Street (right) collapsed this morning as Ashland the store has sold hundreds of cases of bot- tied water since last night. He said anoth- er 700 cases wffi arrive at the store tonight. In Albertson's parkEg lot this morn- ing, residents kept one of two National Guard water tanks painted black and army green in almost constant use. About a half-dozen residents toting containers ranging from coolers to empty milk jugs gathered around one of the several-hun- tired-gallon tanks. "Take a number," said Bob Asher to some approaching residents as a slender stream of water ~led his cooler. Asher Ashland Daily Tidings 1/2/97 lives in the Oak Knoll area and has been using nearby creek water to help his toi- lets flush. He said he hoped that residents took the health warning about the water seriously. Ashland High School student Tara Ellington said going without a shower for two days has been the biggest inconve- nience. She smiled and said she would use some of the water from the tank to wash her face. Then she became concerned. "I just hope I don't get sick, because I was drinking the water earlier," she said. More stories, pages 2,3,5