BEECH BOTTOM — A water line break in the area of Apple Pie Ridge Road is affecting operations of the Brooke County Animal Shelter.

Shelter Assistant Director Abbie Pelletier and some of the shelter’s staff were in attendance at Tuesday’s Brooke County Commission meeting, where she reported the shelter currently is using a pair of water buffalo tanks and limiting visitation hours in an effort to handle the water shortage while still supporting the needs of the animals at the shelter.

“We’re doing the best we can,” she said. “Our animals are still getting cared for.”

The water being brought in is primarily available for the animals’ drinking and bathing, it was noted, with officials recommending the tanks be relocated to an indoor storage area to keep the water cooler.

Brooke Commission President A.J. Thomas confirmed the issue arose as a result of a water line break on Apple Pie Ridge, saying the commission was informed Sunday.

“There is a break. They’re working to pinpoint the location,” he said, noting that area of the county is serviced by the Hammond Public Service District.

Thomas said crews from the PSD are surveying their system in that area in an effort to better locate where the break is, with the hope of having results by sometime today.

Once the break is located, he said, PSD officials will have a better estimate of how long the water service in the southern area of the county will be affected.