Non-essential water use allowed again
Memphis Light, Gas and Water employees Audrey Summers (left) and Ronald Shotwell hand out cases of bottled water to MLGW customers on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Non-essential water use is allowed again in Shelby County as Memphis Light, Gas and Water emerges from its emergency management phase.
Under its drought management plan, MLGW prohibited non-essential water use, including car washes, but rolled back that mandate Wednesday, Dec. 28.
“MLGW is making progress,” the utility said in a statement. “Water pressure is increasing.”
MLGW water customers are still under a boil water advisory.
The Emergency Management Phase of MLGW’s Drought Management Plan is OVER. What does that mean for customers? The precautionary boil water advisory is still in effect. Non-essential water use is no longer prohibited. Car washes can resume operation. #MLGW #MLGWNews @CityOfMemphis pic.twitter.com/kNQBt9rhrA
— MLGW (@MLGW) December 28, 2022
Since a winter storm descended on the Mid-South Thursday, Dec. 22, MLGW crews have repaired 30 broken water mains. Now, MLGW’s crews are reorienting to address smaller-scale repairs.
About 38,000 customers were without water when MLGW President Doug McGowen shared updates during a Tuesday press conference. Customers who are still without water can contact the Customer Care Center at 901-544-6549.
Burst pipes are considered an emergency, though, and those customers can contact 901-528-4465.
Bottled water is being distributed between noon and 2 p.m. on Wednesday, or until supplies are gone, at 2835 Broad Ave. and 1348 National St.
Non-potable water — water to flush toilets, not consume — is being distributed until 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Road.
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MLGW boil water advisoryKeely Brewer
Keely Brewer is a Report for America corps member covering environmental impacts on communities of color in Memphis. She is working in partnership with the Ag & Water Desk, a sustainable reporting network aimed at telling water and agriculture stories across the Mississippi River Basin.
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