We are now on day 4 of a county wide boil water advisory and critical water shortage. Things are improving, but we are not out of the woods yet. The weather over the next few days could cause significate issues.
Currently there is 1,000 estimated Estill County residents without water and many more experiencing low water pressure. If you are out of water you may pick water up at the Estill County Fair Barn from 9am-8pm today. Please be patient and conserve water.
Temperatures will once again be in single digits tonight and tomorrow night. If you must run water to prevent freezing pipes only one tap is usually needed at a trickle no larger than a pencil lead. If you are out of water be sure to check your hot water heater; if it is out of water turn it off to protect the heat elements from burning out. If you have inline pumps and do not have water be sure to turn them off as well to prevent damage to the pump.
Please check for leaks around your house. If you have elderly neighbors please help them check. Be aware of your surroundings if you see water running or pooling please notify your water office.
Simple ways to conserve water are:
- Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth. Just by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to 8 gallons of water!
- Take a shower. Taking a shower uses much less water than filling up a bathtub. A shower only uses 10 to 25 gallons, while a bath takes up to 70 gallons!
- Fix that leak! If your toilet has a leak, you could be wasting about 200 gallons of water every day.
- Fix that leak! If you pipes have frozen, check for leaks. Even if water isn’t coming from the tap it may be leaking under the house. If you have leaking pipes please turn the water off where it comes into the house.
- If you feel that you need to leave water running to prevent freezing; usually only one tap is necessary at a drip, no more than a pencil lead.
Water conservation is always important, but with the winter weather the past week it has put a strain on the system. Please conserve water as best as you can. If you have leaking or busted pipes and need assistance turning your water off where it enters the house contact your local water office for assistance.
Irvine Municipal Utilities (IMU)
(606) 723-2197 Monday-Friday
(606) 723-2344 Weekend and Evening
Estill Water District
(606) 723-3795
