Okmulgee Water Break Repaired; Boil Order Issued

After a day with no water - the pumps are back on in the town of Okmulgee. A break in the main line at the water treatment plant was the problem. 

"The water is back on. The repair coupling is holding and right now we're pumping water back to the water towers and we can see it. It's about 60 feet up in the tower and we're filling it up from there," said Okmulgee City Manager Bob Baxter.

Citing possible contamination as a result of the breakage, the City of Okmulgee has issued an immediate boil order for all water intended for human consumption. Officials said it is necessary to bring water to a full rolling boil before consumption or food preparation.

Baxter said the break occurred at a connection point at the treatment plant west of town at about 7:30 a.m. The repair took two hours, and then it came apart again.

Since the water supply was off, the town has been running off what's left in the water tank, which is normally about 6 - 8 hours worth. But with word spreading that water would be in short supply, the usage soared, and it ran out sooner.

The outage affected everyone inside Okmulgee and also several nearby rural water districts, which purchase water from the city.

About 40,000 people were affected.

The National Guard delivered tanks of drinking water to the fire station and Walmart for anyone who needs it, while the water pressure returns.

The Okmulgee Fire Department has enough water with several tanker trucks standing by. The Okmulgee School District had water and ice brought in so the schools could remain open.