Boil, conservation orders remain on tap in Weirton

Crews are working to restore Weirton’s water system to its regular levels

WEIRTON -- While Weirton's water system remains under conservation and boil orders, following numerous line breaks in recent weeks, city officials offered some hope Monday morning.

The Weirton Area Water Board initially ordered the conservation order on Dec. 18 as a result of dozens of line breaks following quick and steep fluctuations in weather and temperatures in the area. The city-wide boil order was issued Friday, primarily as a result of a 12-inch main line break on Walnut Street which led to outages throughout the city.

Referring to it as a "death by 1,000 cuts," Utilities Director A.D. "Butch" Mastrantoni explained that, since Thanksgiving, Weirton's water system has experienced 51 line breaks, including one on Adams Street during the weekend.

"This situation has occurred primarily because of the ravages of winter," Mastrantoni said, explaining the quick freeze and thaw cycle can have a negative effect on the metal pipes used in the water distribution system.

Compounding the situation are the failure of a primary pump at the water treatment plant, and the refurbishment of a well as part of upgrades at the plant leading to a less-than-ideal ability to mix water from the Ohio River into the system. As a result, Mastrantoni said, the system had been able only to be refilled at a rate of approximately 200 gallons per minute.

To assist in restoration efforts, the Weirton Area Water Board reached an agreement with Cleveland-Cliffs Friday to tap into the company's internal water system, through a connection on Virginia Avenue, which is providing between 300 and 400 gallons per minute.

"That will remain in place as long as the agreement continues," Mastrantoni said, noting the Cleveland-Cliffs water system is categorized as a Class II treatment plant by the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, and, as such, must follow many of the same safety and treatment measures in providing potable water as the Weirton Area Water Board.

"We are currently moving in the proper direction," Mastrantoni said. "My crews, my staff, and I, will not stop until we get back to a proper level."

Officials noted the timeline for a full restoration of the system is still uncertain, so the restrictions will remain for the time being.

"This is not an exact science would be the best thing I could say," explained City Manager Mike Adams, while applauding the employees of the water utility for their work to make the necessary line repairs and find ways to recharge the distribution systems. "Our Water Board and its employees have done a hero's job to restore service."

Adams and Mayor-elect Dean Harris, who participated in Monday's briefing, expressed appreciation to city employees and the Hancock County Commission who worked Friday to secure pallets of bottled water for distribution to residents in need, as well as a donation of water from the Weirton CARES organization. The pump to assist in the restoration efforts came from National Tank and Equipment.

"We're all in this together," Harris said.