Nowata Handing Out Bottled Water To Residents

Nowata residents are lining up to get bottles of water after the city shut down its water distribution system early Thursday.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality ordered the city's water plant to shut down following a chemical plant explosion and fire Tuesday in Neodesha, Kansas.

Chemicals from the plant leaked into the Verdigris River which flows south through Independence and Coffeyville, Kansas.  

The city of Nowata also gets its water from the Verdigris River.  

11/23/2016 Related Story: Forced To Conserve Water, Nowata Residents Scrambling Before Thanksgiving

The city shut down its water plant at 12:30 a.m. and officials say faucets across the city should be now be dry.

Nowata officials say they have notified FEMA after declaring a water emergency and the Red Cross says it will be providing aid to community residents.

The water bottle distribution is taking place at City Hall at 114 South Maple Street.

Officials say they don't know when they will be allowed to turn the water back on.

Meanwhile in Coffeyville, Kansas, city officials also began handing out bottled water to residents Thursday afternoon.  

11/23/2016 Related Story: Nowata, Other Towns Affected By Water Supply Concerns After Neodesha Fire

The city manager's office says they are limiting distribution to five bottles per car.  The city says FEMA has notified Coffeyville, more trailers of bottled water are on their way.

The distribution locations are: 

• Coffeyville, Kansas – Youth Activity Center at 502 Walnut. Enter from 5th Street, south on Walnut to the parking lot of the YAC. There will be both a drive thru and walk up line.
• Dearing, Kansas – Fire Department
• South Coffeyville, Oklahoma – Fire Department
• Edna, Kansas for Labette Rural Water District #6 – Edna Lumber Yard