Illegal Water Leaves Many Residents Thirsty

Saturday, January 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Some Lake Eufaula residents have water, water everywhere but soon may not have even a drop to drink. The folks who call Castaway Cove home have just found out their water will be cut off in 10 days.

The news arrived in the mail.

"We really panicked when we got the letter," says Resident Glenda Morgan.

The notice came from the attorney who represents Castaway Cove developer Kenneth Adams. It says that effective January 24th water will be shut off. When residents bought lots from Adams they say they each paid $350 for water hook ups.

"We've got to have water to live you know," says Kenneth Elliott.

The Department of Environmental Quality says they found out the owner of Castaway Cove was running his own water system illegally and that's when the problem began. Adams isn't licensed to run a water system inside the development. So DEQ gave him a 30-day notice of violation. They say Adams can either get a license to run the system, hire a professional or get out. And he chose the latter.

"We're going to be in big trouble," says Ruth Elliott. "We were preparing for Y2K, I guess this is our Y2K."

The Elliotts retired to Castaway Cove and two years ago dug a well, but can't get water out of it. These neighbors say they don't know where to turn because 10 days doesn't give them much time to do anything. They say they hold the developer responsible.

"Mr. Adams we paid you to give us water we had no idea that you were doing it illegally I think you should have to supply us with water, everyone in here," says Morgan.

But DEQ says it's Adam's choice to shut down the private water system and they can't do anything about it. The 44 families who call this cove home say they truly feel like castaways now. A spokesperson for the DEQ says the residents can file a complaint against Adams with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Neither Adams nor his attorney would comment on this situation.