Emergency Declared After Water Pumps Fail At Two Oklahoma Prisons

Three of six pumps supplying water to two Oklahoma prisons southeast of Norman failed Saturday leading prison officials to declare an emergency.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections says the outage has impacted the Lexington Correctional Center and the remaining pumps are diverting all water to the nearby Harp Correctional Center which is now rationing water.

Prison officials say crews are working to replace the three failed pumps, but while that work is underway, the DOC has brought in a tanker truck of water to cook meals and use for toilets. They've also brought in bottled water for the inmates.

"It is all-hands-on-deck as crews work diligently to repair the pumps," Corrections Director Joe M. Allbaugh said. 

"Everyone is doing everything in their capacity to ensure water is restored as quickly as possible.

The DOC says no meals at both prisons have been missed, but weekend visitations at Lexington have been canceled.

Prison officials hope the pumps can be replaced by Saturday evening and water service restored by late Saturday or early Sunday.

Earlier this summer, the Conner Correctional Center in Hominy experienced a water line break leading to a similar situation.

6/26/2016 Related Story: Running Water Restored At Hominy Prison