HARTFORD, Ky. (3/8/25-11:40 a.m.) — The Ohio County Water District has provided an update on the repairs to a “major rupture” of a 12-inch main line under the William H. Natcher Parkway. This line provides water to the Windy Hill and Olaton water tanks. The rupture has made it impossible for the OCWD to pump water to the customers served by this waterline.
According to the OCWD Facebook page, the OCWD has worked for two days to repair the damage; however, the waterline failed in several places, making it impossible for the OCWD to pull a new pipe under the Natcher Parkway. A contractor specializing in large directional drilling has been called in to help with repairs, but even then, the work may take a week to 10 days to complete.
The OCWD is exploring all its options to get water to those affected customers. One is to run a temporary line along the shoulder of Cromwell Road. If the OCWD can find the materials needed to do this, it hopes the temporary linework could be installed by Tuesday.
Until the line can be repaired or a temporary line is installed, customers of the Windy Hill and Olaton water tanks are under a Boil Water Advisory.
Original post (3/7/25-10:40 a.m.)
HARTFORD, Ky. — The Ohio County Water District has issued a Boil Water Advisory for the area served by the Windy Hill and Olaton water tanks.
According to Eric Hickman, OCWD General Manager, OCWD distribution crews are making an emergency repair on the 12″ main fill line to the Windy Hill water tank along Cromwell Road. The leak began early this morning and crews were able to locate and isolate the affected area.
Hickman estimates the repairs will be completed within six to eight hours. During the repair process, OCWD may lose its Olaton Water Tank, which feeds the customers in the Windy Hill/Olaton service area.
A Boil Water Advisory is issued for those customers who experienced a significant drop in water pressure served by the Windy Hill and Olaton Water Tanks.
The OCWD serves around 1,714 OCWD customers in the affected areas. Those areas include:
Baizetown, Select, Manda, Arnold, Mt. Pleasant, Windy Hill, White Run, Rosine, Horse Branch, Flint Springs, Renfrow, Dogwalk, Neafus, Dan, Sunnydale, Sulphur Springs, Dundee, Narrows, Olaton, Davidson, Hites Falls, Shreve, Askins, Vanzant and Falls of Rough.
When pressure drops below 20 psi, OCWD’s system becomes vulnerable for bacteria from groundwater or dirt to seep into the pipe and affect the water supply. A Boil Water Advisory is issued in the event of a water main break.
As a precautionary measure, all water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil for 3 minutes. This advisory has been issued out of caution and affected customers will be notified when it is lifted.
Customers of the OCWD can contact the office at 270-298-7704.
