Contaminated Water Plagues Konawa Residents

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

KONAWA, Oklahoma – For over a week now, Konawa residents have had little or no running water since the city's main water pump broke down.

Water pressure is slowly building back up, but the city advises residents to boil the water before drinking it.

Konawa resident Joe Andy Blackwood finally has a little water flowing through his tap. But the water is too contaminated to drink and too dingy for bathing. Luckily for him he saves rain water for himself and his chickens.

The City Manager said the pump that brings water from the wells to the treatment plant broke down.

"When that pump went out, the transmission line that comes with the raw water from our well sites at that point there was a break in the pipe," said City Manager Rita Lopresto.

The National Guard is supplying potable water to Konawa residents through their emergency station and residents can also get potable water from the high school's wells which are not part of the city's system.

Blackwood filled up at the National Guard station. Lots of people came at first. Not so many now.

"Either people are slowly getting their water back or they're getting it from other sources. I don't know," said Sgt. Phillip Bloxham.

The City Manager is asking for patience--and prayers.