Cheney, WASH. — People who live in Cheney are facing three weeks of emergency water restrictions following a mechanical failure in the city’s largest well. About 13,300 people rely on this well for water.
The well stopped working after a power outage on Sunday. When power was restored, it created a whiplash effect that damaged the well’s pump. Cheney’s Public Works Department had to shut it down that same night.
“Until we run the pump and we know if there’s further damage or not, we’re still staying on that three-week warning at this point,” said Dan Ferguson, Public Works Director for Cheney.
Ferguson says the replacement parts have arrived, but they would still need time to ensure the system is clean before it serves water to people.
Todd Leslie, who lives near the well, say’s the well breaking as bad timing for his landscape. “It kind of sucks that this is happening, especially now,” he said.
Joanne Morgan, who also lives by the well, said she’s concerned about her flower and vegetable garden. “Hopefully I can use a little bit of water to keep my flowers going and my vegetable garden going, but, I know our lawn will not be able to continue to be watered, so I kind of feel bad about that,” Morgan said.
The city’s Public Works and Fire Department say in the case that they need water for a fire; they will first draw water from reserves in working wells. If more water is needed, they have access to Eastern Washington University’s hydrant system and can request water from Spokane County Fire District 3.
Cheney Fire Department says dry lawns are not a concern during wildfire season. They are asking people to keep weeds short and follow the water restrictions.
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