Martins Ferry Getting Water Turned Back On - WTRF-TV

SNOW PICS AND VIDS > > > If you have pictures or video of the recent snow storm and you'd like to share them, you can add them to our YouNews page by clicking here.

Video Update > > > Watch the latest video update from 7NEWS

Click to Watch Video

SNOW EMERGENCY > > > Belmont County is now under a Level 1 Snow Emergency. Follow the Storm!

Home > News > Belmont County, Ohio

Martins Ferry Getting Water Turned Back On
Posted Sunday, June 21, 2009 ; 03:59 PM | View Comments | Post Comment
Updated Monday, June 22, 2009; 02:34 PM

Watch Story Video

Two line breaks result in a 48-hour boil notice.

Story by Dave Elias
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Dave Elias

MARTINS FERRY, OH -- Thousands of people in Martins Ferry are seeing water flow from their taps again after being without water for days now after the city suffered two major waterline breaks over the weekend.

At around 9:00 a.m. Sunday, Martins Ferry began pumping water into its system, after being down for about 30 hours.

But, by the time many customers started getting decent pressure, another break had taken place.

Jack Regis of the Fire Deparment said it's again a major line leading from the plant, very close to the other break.

Around 2:30 Sunday afternoon, there was a water main break to the water line in front of the treatment plant.

According to Assistant Superintendent Craig Harris at the Martins Ferry Water Treatment Plant, holding tanks are being filled now and a boil order remains in effect for the next 48-hours.

Work has begun to correct the problem.

Four sites are being established to provide both drinking and non-drinking water to customers of the Martins Ferry system.

According to fireman Jack Regis, water will be available at the Ladder Station in Downtown Martins Ferry and the Liberty Station in Ferry.

The city purchased 1,800 cases of water and they plan on handing it all out. Water is also being handed out at Sunset Heights Fire Department and at Hilltop School.

Most Popular Stories on WTRF.com	Most Discussed Stories on WTRF.com
1. Thousands Without Power in Ohio, West Virginia 2. Weather Causes Several Accidents Through Ohio Valley 3. Emergency Level Update in Ohio 4. Thousands Still Without Power, Schools Closed, More Snow on Way 5. Van Winds Up in Pond in Belmont County	1. Wheeling Police Officer Arraigned on DUI Charge 2. WVU President Apologizes to Pitt for Fan Behavior 3. Thousands Still Without Power After Saturday Storm 4. Martins Ferry Schools Under a Fiscal Watch 5. Gov. Joe Manchin Signs School Calendar Law

User Comments [ post comment ]

Sunny
6/23/09 at 8:42 AM

Report Abuse

I visited my friend Monday who lives in town and she indeed had water. I live in Sunset Heights and we were bone dry until we woke this morning.

Nat
6/23/09 at 2:35 AM

Report Abuse

People in town still don't have water! I don't, my neighbors don't. I get enough water to flush the toilet every few hours, and that is it. So I certainly don't see how there are "residents in town running garden hoses for a long period of time to clear out discolored water." We don't have water to waste, at least not at the north end of town. The south end was/is hooked up to Bridgeport due to the crisis. Maybe they're running hoses, or maybe you're seeing things that aren't there.

Lynn
6/22/09 at 10:24 PM

Report Abuse

The people living in town wouldn't be running their hoses if they had meters like the people living outside the city limits. They couldn't afford to pay the outragous rates we have to pay. I guess us country folks will be paying for this water break on our water bill in the next couple months. Just add on to our "WATER DEBT"

CMartin
6/22/09 at 8:49 PM

Report Abuse

Those of us who live on the pike are getting HOSED! The folks in town pay a flat rate and aren't metered while we pay 5 times their rate per 3000 gallons. We don't even come CLOSE to using that amount, and we own a small farm! In the 3 years we've lived here, the water has been off at least a dozen times. The city incurs more and more debt by taking out loans they don't need, and we foot the bill for their mismanagement. I'm so sick of this! We're drilling a well.

dyg
6/22/09 at 4:51 PM

Report Abuse

The city needs to issue a conservation order. Hillandale is still without water waiting for tanks to fill up and pressure to build. There are residents in town running garden hoses for a long period of time to clear out discolored water.

citizen
6/22/09 at 1:23 PM

Report Abuse

Give the workers a break. They are only following orders given by an incompetent administration. Attend the next Council meeting on July 2 at 6:00 and voice your disgust.

dyg
6/22/09 at 10:55 AM

Report Abuse

At 10:40am the hole in the street has been filled and just a few workers are cleaning up the area of the break. Water should be back on but it will take time to build pressure again. I got some dirty, foul smelling water to trickle out of a faucet already.

The bad news is that the city is low on water and more is apparently on the way. The fire departments are handing out 6 - 20oz bottles per person until backup arrives.

Maureen Predragovich
6/21/09 at 9:42 PM

Report Abuse

It was a rough couple days. With the police the only source of information I called once Sat and once Sun but they were very polite when I talked to them. The men working at the Ladder Station were very helpful too. I think they were trying too make the best of a very tough situation,

dyg
6/21/09 at 8:18 PM

Report Abuse

Has Martins Ferry submitted a proposal for infrastructure rebuilding/repair made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009? If not, better get on the ball before it's all gone.

timsgirl
6/21/09 at 7:25 PM

Report Abuse

Martins Ferry residents should embrace for the worst. On Sat while house and dog sitting for my brother and wife who were out of town there was not one thing posted about the water break on either local station, or the radio. Trying to call the water dept. was fun and I know the police dept was flooded with calls but I had a very rude dispatcher. After going to the website for the Times Leader on Sat. I learned that they were distributing water. I had already made two trips to my home to help with the problem here. At least it was handled better on Sun. There is more than one place to get water and the media had better coverage. Hope things get worked out or it will be a long week for the residents of the Purple City.

dave dry
6/21/09 at 4:55 PM

Report Abuse

THATS WHAT THEY SAY MAYBE IF THEY FIX THINGS RIGHT IN FERRY THIS WOULDEN HAPPEN FERRY IS A JOKE THE CITY WORKERS IF THATS WHAT YOU CALL THEM HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO GO WITH OUT WATER IDIOTS

Post Your Comments
All fields are Required

Name:

Email:

A valid email address is required to allow WTRF-TV to monitor comments and track users posting inappropriate comments. WTRF-TV does not use these for any type of SPAM operation.

Comments:

Security Code:

Enter the code exactly as you see it above.

NOTE: You may refresh the page to load a new Confirmation Code if this one is unreadable.

I have read and agree to the WTRF Commenting Policy
NOTE: It is unlawful to disclose personal information, including names, of minors under 18 involved in any criminal action.

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Site Development and Hosting By Citynet