Residents of Jasonville, Hymera and Coalmont awoke without water Monday after an overnight fire at the Jasonville water plant.
Though initial fears were that they would be stranded without drinking water for up to a week, officials were soon providing the areas with bottled water.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Indiana National Guard reported Monday that it had delivered water to several western Indiana communities following the fire’s damaging the water plant.
Water distributions for area residents will begin Tuesday morning.
“Utility providers estimate the outage could continue for several days to a week,” IDHS said in a statement. “No cause of the fire has been determined.”
Water suitable for drinking and cooking will be available at three locations:
• 145 S. Lawton, Jasonville (8 a.m.-8 p.m.)
• 6440 W. Public Road, Coalmont (9 a.m.-8 p.m.)
• 406 N. Vine St., Hymera (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Additional water is being coordinated for delivery by nearby grocery stores, businesses, the American Red Cross and Convoy of Hope, IDHS said.
About 5,500 residents live in the three locations.
In a statement on Facebook early on Monday, Jasonville Utilities announced, “Attention: Citizens, due to a fire at our water filtration plant the city of Jasonville and all users of Jasonville water will be without water until service can be reinstated. We will share information with you as it becomes available.”
Hymera Water Office also posted early Monday on Facebook, “Jasonville has lost their water plant tonight in a fire. They have shut all the towers down at this time. We are asking Wilfred to switch over to Shelburn water system. We will continue to feed off our tower at this time. The storage of water should get Hymera through today. … We should know more throughout the day. Please be conservative with what water we have.”
Late Monday morning, Hymera’s Facebook post, said: “We will need to prepare to be without water for a week. They have a plan to get us back on line, but it will take days.
“We are working to get bottled water here in town for everyone on our system. Bulk water will be available also. Bottled water, hand sanitizer will be available at our water office once we are established. We will keep you updated when supplies are here. Thank you.”
Hymera ran out of bottled water Monday afternoon, but expected another truck to arrive in the evening. It provided a tanker truck set up next to the firehouse for those who needed to fill containers for flushing toilets.
Jasonville Utilities announced late Monday that limited bottled water was available for residents. Distribution took place directly behind the Jasonville water office and will continue to be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice. It also offered water for flushing toilets.
Shakamak Metropolitan School District reported on Facebook that Tuesday will be on a eLearning on Tuesday and every day throughout the week the school is without water.
Buses will take students to school to retrieve their Chromebooks, and the school day was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. to accommodate those who don’t yet have Chromebooks.
Water deliveries to the communities will continue until water service is restored. Residents with additional needs should contact Indiana 211.