The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
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Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:34 PM
Jellico Leaders Say Water Back On, Pressure Low After Issues With Purification System
Jellico Elementary is expected to have full service for classes on Tuesday and Elk Valley School is expected to have at least partial service Tuesday., according to authorities. The mayor of Jellico made the announcement on Facebook Saturday after Jellico Electric and Water Systems confirmed that residents were without water.
To further combat the issue, TEMA officials arrived at Jellico Hospital with an emergency drinking water supply.
At approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Campbell County Mayor, E. L. Morton, reported that the Jellico water system was depleted, affecting 1,700 customers.
At around noon on Sunday, Jellico's mayor said water should be back in service by 2 p.m.
Campbell County Emergency Management Director Jay Muncie began bottled water deliveries from the Red Cross and informed the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency of the situation. According to Morton, TEMA has been notified, and they are sending agents.
The utility office reported that they began supplemental purification which can begin restoring water tanks within the next two to three hours for limited service.
According to the general manager of Jellico Electric and Water Systems, Joe Carroll, the flood last weekend forced sediment into the water supply, and their systems couldn't filter it out fast enough.
Due to slow production, Jellico Electric and Water Systems turned to the well back-up. Carroll said they have issued a boil advisory, and they are working around the clock to get the issue resolved.
Carroll told Local 8 News that the water must meet state requirements before going out to residents.
On Sunday morning, Jellico Electric and Water Systems said that they "anticipated the restoration of all services" sometime late Sunday night. They wanted to remind residents that the boil water advisory is in effect until Monday.
By 2:30 p.m., Jellico Mayor reported that the water service has returned, but that it was at low pressure.