Gallipolis City Water Updates

6/10/14   11:00 am

This is an update on the City of Gallipolis Water System. We are filling the reservoir at a good rate. Overnight we went up about four and a half feet and need to continue that rate. Please continue to conserve and we should be able to fill the reservoir to the necessary limits within the next few days. We are still under a boil advisory. Water samples were taken last night and we should have results back late this evening. If the samples are good we will lift the advisory, but if we have any negative results we will have to retest and wait 24 hours again. We will send out a voice message and post on our website at www.cityofgallipolis.com when the results are in. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm each day at the Public Use Area below the city park until the boil advisory is lifted. Thank you.

June 9, 2014

According to City Manager Randy Finney, the major water leak that was not allowing the water system to maintain pressure has been found. A twelve inch abandoned water main has been identified as the problem. The water system had a failure on June 2 and an active water main under the Chickaumgua Creek was broken along with the abandoned line. Repairs were completed on June 4th to the active line and the when the system was started back up, the lines could not be pressurized.

Many days were spent trying to identify where the water leak was with the help of other cities and agencies working together. No signs of a water leak were detected, but by isolating different areas we were able to identify the line and valve it closed. Once the valve was closed the pressure began to build and water is being restored to the reservoir.

The Boil Water Advisory for the entire City of Gallipolis Water System will be in effect until residents are notified. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park for those needing additional water until the boil advisory is lifted.

Finney expressed his appreciation to all the engineers and utility workers that came from other cities to assist with the leak detection, local and state agencies, and the many volunteers that helped with water distribution.

6/9/14  4:45           

I finally have some good news for you. We have water going to the reservoir and filling the tank. There was a leak in a 12” line that is under the road at the bridge on Chickamauga Creek that was abandoned and as soon as we shut it off the system started building pressure. We still want to use caution and allow the reservoir to fill. Please allow a few days for this to happen and continue to conserve water. Also, the Health Department had already began the process of allowing some of the food establishments to open back up so this will continue over the next several days. We believe we have all customers on. If your water is not on at all please call 740-441-6006 and notify us. The boil water advisory will remain in effect. We will begin taking samples but we have not yet determined the start of the 24 hour test period. I will update you when the boil advisory will be lifted. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open Monday and Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park. You may also pickup water at GDC if you bring a container. I want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding during this trying time.

6/9/14  10:30 am

We are still attempting to verify the leak and its location. We had crews last night go through the downtown area to verify proper valve settings and that all areas were on. We will start through sections of the downtown area to test the pressures in each section and see if can find any loss of pressure. Water may be turned on and off during this time. With the loss of water we are not able to fill our reservoir which would allow us to pressurize the system and remove the boil advisory. The boil advisory is still in effect for all the City Water Customers. We believe we have all customers on with at least minimal pressure. If your water is not on at all please call 740-441-6006 and notify us. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open today from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park. You may also pickup water at GDC if you bring a container. Thank You

6/8/14 11:10 am

I apologize for some information that I did not mention. The cityofgallipolis.com website is not updating. Information is being added but it is not displaying. Gallia County Commissioners have allowed us to post information on their website www.gallianet.net. Thank you.

6/8/14 11:00 am

We are continuing to look for the source of the leak in the system. Sound monitors are being used and we are eliminating areas that may have a leak. The boil advisory is still in effect for all the City Water Customers. Food businesses will remain closed until they are released by the EPA and Health Department. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open today from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park and will be open on Monday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. You may also pickup water at GDC if you bring a container. Thank you.

6/7/14 10:20am

Water is being restored to most all of the areas of the Gallipolis City Water System. That does not mean we have resolved the problem. We still have a major water leak that we need to identify and correct. We will still be testing areas and turning water on and off but we wanted to get a supply of water back to residents. The boil advisory will remain in effect and it may be several days before it is lifted. Do not consume the water until it has been boiled for at least 3 minutes. We understand everyone’s need for water but we want to do this in a safe and effective manner. Food businesses will remain closed until they are released by the EPA and Health Department. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open through the weekend from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park or you may also pickup water at GDC if you bring a container. Again, we are still in a critical situation and everyone needs to follow the guidelines to protect the general public. I truly appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this difficult time. We will get this resolved. Thank you.

6/6/14 8:00

We are filling water to the reservoir at this time. It has been a slow process and will continue through the night. Residents may have some water coming to their homes but we ask you to continue to conserve so we can get other residents without water online. We still have a large leak in the system that must be located. Ohio EMA and Ohio Warn assisted with sending 3 City of Columbus operators here this evening with specialized sound equipment and they will be trying to detect any leaks. There is another operator from the Dayton area that will be here tonight with the same type of equipment to do leak detection. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open through the weekend from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park or you may also pickup water at GDC if you bring a container. The non-drinking water can be obtained at the City Water Treatment Plant at 2020 Chestnut Avenue. We will continue to have updates. Thank you

6/6/14 10:30

An update to the water situation. Last night the city crews along with the Ohio EPA and Ohio Rural Water Association were able to isolate the water lines so that we have a good flow and pressure on the main line feeding the reservoir. That was accomplished about 7:30 am this morning. We have opened the line to the reservoir and are attempting to send water to the reservoir. With this isolation we have a better idea where we are losing pressure. We have companies coming in town this evening to apply monitors to the hydrants in an attempt to locate the broken line. Last night’s event is the first positive sign that we have had for a while. We will continue working through the day to identify other issues with the lines. The water distribution station for drinking water will be open through the weekend from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Public Use Area below the city park. The non-drinking water can be obtained at the City Water Treatment Plant and also at GDC. We will do another update this evening. Thank You.

A county sheriff may, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code sections 311.07 and 311.08, declare a snow emergency and temporarily close the state roads and municipal streets within his/her jurisdiction when such action is reasonably necessary for the preservation of the public peace. Ohio Attorney General’s Opinion 97-015, issued April 1, 1997, concluded that this authority includes state roads, county and township roads and municipal streets.

Any person who knowingly hampers or fails to obey a lawful order of the sheriff declaring a snow emergency and temporarily closing highways, roads and/or streets within his/her jurisdiction may be subject to criminal prosecution under Ohio Revised Code Section 2917.13, "Misconduct at an emergency" or other applicable law or ordinance. A violation under that section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, punishable by a jail sentence not to exceed 30 days and/or a fine not to exceed $250. If the misconduct creates a risk of physical harm to persons or property, it is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by a jail sentence not to exceed 180 days and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000.

Snow Emergency Classifications

LEVEL 1: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be icy. Motorists are urged to drive very cautiously. 

LEVEL 2: Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads may also be very icy. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roads. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work. Motorists should use extreme caution.

LEVEL 3: All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be driving during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel or a personal emergency exists. All employees should contact their employer to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roads may subject themselves to arrest