Chatham still repairing water lines

By Sarah Arkin

Published: December 4, 2008

Chatham was still in a state of emergency Thursday and residents won’t have access to potable water until today at the earliest after a main waterline ruptured Wednesday morning, forcing officials to shut down the supply and leave 2,000 customers dry.

At least two more breaks in the waterlines were discovered Wednesday night, but water was turned back on early Thursday morning with several restrictions still in place.

Residents were told they can drink and cook with water but only after they have boiled it in accordance with Virginia Department of Health guidelines. They shouldn’t wash hands or dishes or bathe with the water. Flushing toilets is OK.

Town Manager Michael Jones sent out an advisory at about 1 p.m. Thursday to let residents know that officials were still working on repairing the breaks. The Health Department won’t test water tanks or lines until all the repairs are complete, he said.

Jones warned that due to the nature of the break, it’s possible that small pieces of debris may get into the water. Residents should check filters and screens of household appliances and remove anything they find, as it could cause damage in the future.

Jones said arrangements have been made to ensure that the Chatham Fire Department has adequate resources until the waterlines are repaired.

God’s Pit Crew was distributing cases of bottled water to people served by the town’s water system Thursday at Old Dutch Supermarket on North Main Street.

“It’s one of those things you take for granted,” Brian Faison, a volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team, said Thursday.

Residents were grateful for the relief.

Kathy Rolland, who came to get water at about noon, said she “suspected something was amiss” when she was making dinner Wednesday night and noticed low water pressure. Rolland said she had some bottled water but had used it all by Thursday afternoon.

Some residents were thinking about going out of town to friends’ houses to shower. Having just had major surgery two weeks ago, Sharon Sweet said she was most concerned about keeping her incision clean.

“I’m afraid to even wash dishes,” Sweet said, adding said she’d hold out for one more day before taking up a friend’s offer to come to Danville.

“By tomorrow, I’ll be ready to go and take a shower,” she said Thursday.

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.