UPDATE: Greater Ouachita Water service restored to all customers

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Greater Ouachita Water Company says its restored water service to all customers affected by Hurricane Laura.

In a written statement, President Philip McQueen said, “Within 24 hours of a category 1 Hurricane ravaging Ouachita Parish, water service has been restored to all GOWC customers.”

GOWC says some customers may experience low pressure issues over the next 24-48 hours. Customers should call the GOWC customer line at 318-322-3741 with any questions or concerns.

>> See the previous story below for background information.

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Hurricane Laura has severed impacted a major water company’s ability to distribute water to customers.

Greater Ouachita Water Company says power outages have severely impacted their systems. They have released the following statement regarding the matter.

GOWC Statement:

As a result of Hurricane Laura’s devastating impact on the electric power infrastructure, many GOWC systems are unable to pump water into their elevated tanks, leaving some customers with severely limited access to water. Below is a breakdown by system.

SOUTH MONROE GOWC CUSTOMERS

The water supply in the elevated tank serving South Monroe customers has been depleted and without power additional water cannot be pumped into the tank. “While Entergy has informed us that they won’t have updated information regarding power restoration until 5:00 this afternoon, we have arranged with the city of Monroe, on an emergency basis, to provide water through a 4 inch connection,” explained GOWC’s President Philip McQueen. Water will be at a lower pressure. “We urge our customers to please use water conservatively until Entergy restores power to our system,” McQueen noted.

NORTH MONORE AND LAKESHORE CUSTOMERS

The elevated tanks serving GOWC’s North Monroe and Lakeshore customers are depleting rapidly. GOWC expects customers to lose access to water around 6-7 pm tonight. “We are working with Homeland Security,” McQueen emphasized, “to secure portable generators to pump water to the elevated tanks serving these systems. We do not, at this time, have an estimate as to when we will have the generators secured.”

GOWC WEST SIDE SYSTEMS

GOWC’s systems on the west side did suffer a limited power supply outage; however, their water supply has not been impacted.

“GOWC’s team is doing all that we can to get the water supply back up and running after this unprecedented natural disaster. We are committed to keeping the public aware each step of the way as we work to restore service. We are currently working with our telephone and internet provider to restore our communication infrastructure as well. Please work with us and help your neighbors by conserving the water supply you do have,” McQueen stressed.