Water Concerns Remain Top Priority For New Sharon
This Mahaska County Cert Member walks a case of water out to an elderly individual during their water distribution efforts.
New Sharon, Iowa – Water is the lifeblood of a town, and with New Sharon currently on its fifth consecutive day of a boil order, the focus remains on restoring clean drinking water to the community.
With two of the four pumps currently operational, the city does have the capability to provide the water needed for hygiene needs, but it’s looking for clearance from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to lift the boil order. (now lifted as of Friday, May 31)
Conserving water is still a message that neither Mahaska County Emergency Manger Jamey Robinson or New Sharon Mayor Dustin Hite can’t stress enough.
Once two consecutive days of clean water are tested, the DNR gives the all clear for citizens to one again drink the water.
Volunteers came out Wednesday night to start a sandbagging effort to help protect the now vulnerable pumping station.
No one can remember a time when the water had crested so high on the North Skunk River as to close Highway 146 and Highway 63 both. But forecasters were calling for the river to once again rise, and the volunteers from the community came out in a huge show of support.
With concerns that the river may go higher yet once again, efforts started again on Thursday to help strengthen and increase the sandbag levy protecting the pump station.
New Sharon Mayor Dustin Hite said that once things at the pump house are secure, “then we’ve got to try and work on getting out the other two well, back up [and] online.” Hite explained that since the pumps were submerged in the water, it will be necessary to get the equipment the needed maintenance in order to get the capability back up to 100%.
CERT Team members were still at the New Sharon City Park building on Friday morning, continuing their efforts to provide drinking water to the residents of the city. “Their help has been invaluable,” Hite stated.
Jamey Robinson, Mahaska County Emergency Management Director, said that by Wednesday the home deliveries for those unable to make it out was up to 107 different homes. CERT members were making those deliveries. “We want to make sure we’re covering everybody,” Robinson said.
At just after 12:30 pm on Friday morning, the word came out that the water was now safe to drink. City officials and Emergency Management still ask that people conserve water because the pumps that supply water to the town are not yet 100% at this time.
