Eight communities in Tazewell County still under boil advisory

Oct. 4—Residents living in eight different communities across Tazewell County are still being asked to boil their water due to power outages that impacted pump stations.

A boil water advisory was still in effect Thursday for Horsepen, Abbs Valley, Boissevain, Pocahontas, Bishop, Johnsons Hollow, Red Root Ridge and Davis Mountain. A boil water advisory issued earlier in the week for the Falls Mills community was lifted Thursday morning.

Power outages caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene impacted the authority's ability to pump water to several communities, Tazewell County Public Service Authority Administrator Jan Cordle said Thursday.

Cordle said the PSA is hoping the boil water advisories can be lifted soon once water samples are completed in the affected communities.

The boil water advisories were issued after power was lost in the eight communities.

"We just couldn't get water to them and the tanks went dry," she said.

As water service is restored to the affected communities, Cordle said homeowners are asked to boil the water until the water sampling can be completed by the PSA.

Cordle said water is flowing to most of the communities. However, the PSA was still working Thurday to assist families along Peel Chestnut Mountain, Davis Mountain and Red Root Ridge.

"We are working and doing our very best," Cordle said. "For the most part our people kept water."

Cordle said the PSA board, its staff and maintenance crews have all worked hard over the past few days to ensure a continuation of water service to communities across the county, many of which lacked electricity. She said Tazewell County Administrator Eric Young has worked closely with the PSA during the storm recovery period to ensure that critical infrastructure like water and sewer remained operational in the aftermath of Helene.

Cordle said once samples are completed in all of the impacted communities the PSA will notify customers through text alerts and its website that the boil advisories have been lifted.

"It shouldn't be just for a couple of days," she said of the boil water advisories. "It just depends upon how long it takes to get all of these (back)."

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