(Hancock Commission President Eron Chek has issued a statement on the water issues facing both Oakland PSD and the City of Weirton advising the public what action is being taken)
OAKLAND PSD
Oakland PSD – 211 homes without water are due to partial agreement to purchase part of their water supply from the Weirton water system. Hancock County OEM Director Jeremy Ober sourced a 7,000-gallon water tanker and mobile water purification plant, they will fill the tanker with potable water, take it to the PSD, run it through the plant and feed it into the system. Oakland should see some relief soon. In addition to the 211 homes without water, an estimated 140 livestock rely on this water supply also. This includes horses, cows ,and other farm-related animals.
Current Weirton Actions
Weirton is hiring an independent leak detection expert to assist them in finding the water line breaks so theyca n make the repairs needed. A pump was ordered to replace the broken one that fills the water towers.
Crews are working to repair identified breaks and Weirton is seeking assistance to supplement repairs. In the meantime, Weirton is distributing water via Fire Stations and Home delivery where needed. Legislators are collaborating with the Governor’s Office, National Guard, Rural Water, and the Public Service Commission to assist in supplementing potable and non-potable water supplies for both Weirton and Oakland.
Next Steps
Weirton Water Department is entirely the authority of Weirton, but in recent discussions with the Mayor,
Dean Harris, we agreed that this is an all-hands-on-deck situation and collaboration is the best approach health and wellbeing of all residents.
Collaborative discussions began today between Mayor Harris and me. In a discussion with Mayor Harris, I
identified which options Weirton has already considered to avoid repeating searches that would waste time.
As I focus on the problems in the Oakland area in collaboration with Hancock County Office of Emergency Management Director, Jeremy Ober and Delegate for District 1, Pat McGeehan, I have committed to Mayor Harris that if I learn of a new solution that Weirton has not already considered, I will share it for him to consider. Mayor Harris agreed that we are all in this together, I assured him that the County is standing by to hear any request to help Weirton. I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of Weirton, Jeremy Ober, Pat McGeehan, and the agencies they have good relationships with who have been willing to help.
I will be sending a letter to the Governor tomorrow endorsed by Delegate McGeehan highlighting the help needed for both Oakland and Weirton and asking that supplies be provided.
To find the latest updates on the Official Facebook Pages:
Oakland PSD (have committed to increasing the frequency of their updates)
Weirton, West Virginia – City Government (have indicated they will post an update for each change)
Eron Chek President Hancock County Commission