The talk of the town (and apparently all of south Georgia today) is the Lowndes County seat lost water. Both the Valdosta’s city government web pages (VLD) and the newspaper (VDT) have been reporting online, but it’s hard to tell exactly when, since both have only datestamps, not timestamps. What does “in the next hour” mean when you don’t know in what hour the notice was posted? Time notations appropriate for paper media issued once a day aren’t quite adequate for online posts multiple times a day.

WCTV does include timestamps, and Dontaye Carter did some reporting for her story posted 6:48 PM:

The Valdosta Utilities Department says around 12:30 Saturday morning an equipment failure stopped power from reaching the plant, which stopped the treatment of water.

The city issued a Boil Water Advisory shortly after.

That gives approximate dates for two of the VLD items below. The VSU Spectator (VSU) provides dated updates in one of its stories, as it happens the first one it posted, but not on the main articles. The correct order seems to be VLD, VLD, VSU, VDT, VLD, VDT, VSU, VSU, VLD, VDT, and WALB TV chimed in at the end, with a timestamp.

I give the VDT points for thinking to ask South Georgia Medical Center, VSU gets kudos for informing its audience about the issues most directly affecting them, and the TV stations get credit for asking a variety of citizens. The City of Valdosta gets praise for reporting rapidly at the outset, and for holding a press conference at the end of the day, although not so much for having their water’s power fail. VLD, VDT, and VSU might think about adding timestamps to their articles. -jsq

VLD: City Water Services Affected by Power Failure

Due to a power failure at the City of Valdosta Water Treatment Plant on Guest Road, all city water customers are currently without water services until further notice. Georgia Power is working with local contractors at the plant site to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. Updates will be posted to the City of Valdosta website at www.valdostacity.com Citizens are encouraged NOT to call 9-1-1 about this situation unless they have an emergency, but instead may call the city’s Utilities Department to receive additional information and updates at (229) 259-3592.

VLD: City of Valdosta Issues Boil Water Advisory

A Boil Water Advisory is in effect for all City of Valdosta water customers.

Residents are asked to avoid the use of any city water at this time. Any water that is currently left in the lines or that becomes available once water services are restored, should be boiled first before use. Residents are advised to bring water to a boil for at least one minute, and cool before using, or use bottled water. Water should be boiled for uses such as drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other potential organisms.

This Boil Water Advisory is in effect until further notice.

Crews are working diligently to restore water services as quickly as possible. Updates will continue to be posted to the City of Valdosta website at www.valdostacity.com, or citizens may call the city’s Utilities Department to receive additional information and updates at (229) 259-3592.

VSU: City of Valdosta issues Boil Water Advisory

After a power failure in the City of Valdosta Water Treatment plant, water from the City of Valdosta will be unavailable until further notice, according to the Valdosta city website.

Once water is working again or if water is left in the pipes, it is advised that the water is boiled for at least one minute before use.

Using bottled water or boiling water is necessary for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth or similar activities, according to the website.

*UPDATE 1 p.m: “The city has connected generators to the well, so citizens should begin noticing water pressure return in the next hour,” according to the website.

However, water may appeared discolored due to water treatments being used in repairs. Citizens are still encouraged to boil water for the next few days or until further notice.

For on campus residents, bottled water is being delivered to each residence hall. There is also clean drinking water available at food service locations, according to the VSU news website.

*UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Both Walmarts are out of larger packs of water. Publix and Winn Dixie have gallon drinking water and Target also has water. Dollar Tree is out of water.

*UPDATE 2:24 p.m.: The Union Food Dining Services are closed until further notice on campus.

Call the city’s Utilities Department at 259-3592 for updates or check www.valdostacity.com or www.valdosta.edu.

VDT: Water outage affecting SGMC

South Georgia Medical Center is open and functioning, but according to CEO James McGahee, “We’ve got a a mess on our hands.” McGahee said the hospital is fine, still accepting patients through the Emergency Department and can perform emergency procedures, but elective surgeries have been impacted.

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VLD: Update of City Water Services

The City of Valdosta is utilizing all resources to restore city water services as quickly as possible. The city has connected generators to the well, so citizens should begin noticing water pressure return in the next hour.

When water pressure returns, citizens may notice some discoloration, air, and a sulfite odor in the water. This is to be expected, due to the treatment plant being down for several hours. Crews are working with a manufacturer representative for the plant equipment to determine the problem and help expedite the correction.

However, the city issued a Boil Water Advisory this morning that will remain in effect for the next couple of days or until further notice. Residents are advised to bring water to a boil for at least one minute, and cool before using, or use bottled water. Water should be boiled for uses such as drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, food preparation, and any other consumption. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other potential organisms.

Citizens should make sure all faucets in their home are completely turned off when the water services are restored to avoid any flooding.

Updates will continue to be posted to the City of Valdosta website at www.valdostacity.com, or citizens may call the city’s Utilities Department to receive additional information and updates at (229) 259-3592.

VDT: City issues statement on water outage

The City of Valdosta is utilizing all resources to restore city water services as quickly as possible. The city has connected generators to the well, so citizens should begin noticing water pressure return in the next hour.

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VSU: VSU Update on Drinking Water

VALDOSTA — Drinking water is available at each of the Valdosta State University food service locations. VSU is expected to have bottled water delivered to residence halls by early afternoon.

Once water service has been restored the City of Valdosta has advised that residence continue to boil all drinking water (for at least one minute) until further notice.

VSU: Update of City Water Services from City of Valdosta Web Site

The City of Valdosta is utilizing all resources to restore city water services as quickly as possible. The city has connected generators to the well, so citizens should begin noticing water pressure return in the next hour.

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VLD: City Water Services Fully Restored

The City of Valdosta Water Treatment Plant is operating again, and water services have been fully restored to city water customers. The loss of power to the plant on Jan. 22 has been resolved by the installation of a temporary bypass line. Water pressure throughout the city has returned to normal levels.

Citizens now have adequate water in their homes and facilities for their regular water uses, such as for showers, bathrooms, etc. However, due to state regulations concerning water treatment, the city is urging citizens to continue to adhere to the Boil Water Advisory over the next couple of days or until further notice. Residents are still advised to bring tap water to a boil for at least one minute, and cool before using, or use bottled water. Water should be boiled for uses such as drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation, as boiling the water kills bacteria and other potential organisms.

The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

For updates or more information visit the City of Valdosta’s web site at www.valdostacity.com or tune into Mediacom Channel 17. Citizens are encouraged to sign up for e-news at www.valdostacity.com/publicinformation to receive updates about this issue or other city news.

VDT: City water services fully restored; boil water advisory still in effect

The City of Valdosta Water Treatment Plant is operating again, and water services have been fully restored to city water customers, according to a City of Valdosta press release. The loss of power to the plant on Jan. 22 has been resolved by the installation of a temporary bypass line. Water pressure throughout the city has returned to normal levels.

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WALB: Water back in service, customers still urged to boil water

Posted: Jan 22, 2011 6:55 PM Updated: Jan 22, 2011 7:10 PM
By Jade Bulecza

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) – A boil water advisory is in effect for all city water customers and officials say this could be case for the next couple of days.

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At a press conference, officials said the power outage happened around 12:30 Saturday morning. Generators were online, but they believe a switch gear prevented the plant from powering back up.

The power has now been restored to the plant with a temporary bypass line. “We have two high service pumps and low service pumps that are starting to gear up right now that will start increasing pressure through the system it will gradually rise through the night,” said Henry Hicks, the Valdosta utilities director. “We have two more emergency generators and wells that will be installed and turned on momentarily that will also give us the raw water coming in the plant to pump out through the system.”

City officials says water has been fully restored to its customers.

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Even the hospital isn’t allowing visitors because of sanitation issues and to keep patients safe.

“We have allowed visitation under emergency type situations but we do acknowldege we have turned away a lot visitors we apoligize for the inconvenience but we ask everyone to continue to cooperate with us,” said Ken Kiser, the South Georgia Medical Center assistant adminstrator for patient care services.

Valdosta State University issued a statement on it’s web site saying drinking water is available at the food service locations. The college plans to had bottled water delivered the residence halls.

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