Clean water flowing again in Monterey

The News Leader

Mike Guzo, with the Virginia Department of Emergency Managment for Region 6, fills a jug with non-potable water for a Monterey resident on Monday, August 14, 2017. The town has been dealing with a water shortage for several days due to multiple issues with their water system. A state of emergency was declared and water had to trucked in for residents to use until repairs are completed to the well casings and water lines.

MONTEREY - Water is back and OK to drink in Monterey after nearly two weeks without it.

According to a release, the town water samples from Monday and Tuesday of this week passed potable water quality standards. The Virginia Department of Health lifted the boil water advisory today shortly after 4 p.m., the release said.

"Town water is now safe to consume without being boiled first," the release said. "(The) Department of Health Office of Drinking Water staff recommended that the town continue to operate the waterworks on a normal basis, checking the levels of water in both storage tanks regularly."

Virginia Department of Emergency Management staff will coordinate with Highland Emergency Manager David Blanchard and Highland Emergency Coordinator Harley Gardner to rescind the local emergency declaration that was issued by the Highland County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 16, the release said.

How it started

Starting Aug. 8, town residents began to experience low water pressure. An investigation of the water system found some leaks and the Virginia Department Health issued the boil water advisory.

Over the weekend of Aug. 12 the problems got worse.

One of the town’s three wells pumped its aquifer dry and had to be shut down. The second well dropped from its normal output of 60 gallons per minute to below 20. On Aug. 12, a state of emergency was declared, with the town saying “the draw down on the system continues to exceed the supply.”

The town’s water system includes three wells and two storage tanks that hold about 300,000 gallons between them. Monterey has 275 water connections with an estimated 500 to 600 customers who use about 75,000 gallons of water a day.

Harley Gardner, left, the Emergency Manager for Highland County waits while residents of Monterey fill jugs with non-potable water on Monday, August 14, 2017. The town has been dealing with a water shortage for several days due to multiple issues with their water system. A state of emergency was declared and water had to trucked in for residents to use until repairs are completed to the well casings and water lines.

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By Aug. 14, organizations like the Highland Medical Center and the Highland Center were closed due to lack of water.

Throughout the town people were doing their best to cope with the shortage. To alleviate the problem the town was giving out bottled water at the town office building during business hours and at the sheriff’s office after hours. A truck of non-potable water was parked at the town parking lot. Residents who wanted a shower were directed to go to the county pool and portable toilets were placed on street corners.

A disaster relief organization in West Virginia donated 13,000 pounds of bottled water to the residents of Monterey after a local state of emergency was declared due to problems with the town's water system. The water is available to everyone in various locations throughout the town including Monterey's town offices on Monday, August 14, 2017.

What's next

Council adopted an emergency ordinance last week that made it a misdemeanor to use town water to water lawns or gardens, wash vehicles or fill swimming pools. Those who went against the ordinance could be fined up to $100.

Those ordinances remain in effect and the town is asking residents to continue to conserve water until further notice, the release said. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the town office at 540-468-2472.

Monterey, the Highland County seat, is best known for its annual maple festival, which recently celebrated its 59th year this past March. Monterey is settled in the Allegheny Mountains on U.S. 250. According to the last census in 2010, the town had a population of 147 people, but the county (which Monterey is located in) has more than 2,000 people.

Follow Laura Peters@peterslaura and@peterpants. You can reach her at lpeters@newsleader.com or 213-9125.