CLEVELAND — Residents in Elyria and Amherst were asked Thursday to conserve water because of a "power issue" at the Elyria Water Pumping Plant, according to emergency alerts sent by the Lorain County government.
County officials asked customers to "reduce their non-essential water usages" until the problem is fixed. As of Friday, Elyria's water has been repaired to normal pressure and the usage restrictions were lifted, however those curtailments remain in effect for Amherst.
While Elyria residents can now use water for all purposes, that city is still asking its citizens to boil their water or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or preparing food. The boil water advisory is precautionary, and the city has no evidence the water is contaminated.
The Elyria Water Pumping Plant is located in Lorain and service Elyria, Amherst and North Ridgeville as well as other Northeast Ohio townships.
According to the county, the power company and contractors are currently on site at the water plant to fix the issue. Customers may experience "lower than normal" water pressure until then.
Elyria said the disruption could potentially cause a temporary increase in lead in the water. When the issue is resolved, the city advises residents to do the following:
- If water has not been used for several hours, run the tap until there is a noticeable temperature drop. Then, run water for 30 seconds to 3 minutes before using it for drinking and cooking.
- Use cold water for cooking, drinking, and preparing baby formula.
- Clean your faucet aerator regularly.
The county defined "non-essential" usages as any usage that is not required for the following reasons:
- Health and safety reasons
- Regulations
- The production of food and fiber
- The maintenance of livestock
- To meet the core functions of a business
The following usages would be subject to "mandatory restrictions" still in effect for Amherst, Lorain County said:
- Irrigation of lawns using sprinklers or automated irrigation systems
- Filling of swimming pools, washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks
- Washing of vehicles
- Operation of ornamental fountains
- Washing clothes, running dishwasher
- Any other use deemed non-essential by the Water Department