Second Water Pump Fails in Byrdstown Sunday Night

The Byrdstown Water Department is asking residents for a county-wide water reduction after a one of the area’s three water pumps failed Sunday night.

Byrdstown Mayor Sam Gibson said this is the second pump that’s failed within the last few weeks.

“They were all three put in at the same time and I hope that’s not an indication that the other one’s time has run its course,” Gibson said. “Whenever you’ve got the wear and tear on these big motors and pumps… it’s been in there working fine probably for 15 years. It’s a little funny though that within a couple of months that they have both gone down.”

Byrdstown City Council recently purchased a new pump after the first one failed. Gibson said it is being shipped from Illinois and should arrive sometime Monday evening.

“We took bids and ordered one for the one that was down so now we will do an emergency thing, and I’ve already got one ordered to replace that one (the second pump),” Gibson said. “It’s a little different, but it’s going to be here in considerably less time.”

Gibson said the second new pump will likely arrive within 10 days. A portable backup pump being used by the city will cost them approximately $1,000 per day to use, meaning Gibson hopes the permanent replacement is installed soon.

Gibson said the county-wide water reduction will be for 24 hours with the hopes of having things running smoothly by Tuesday.

“We think that’ll give us time to get this backup pump in place and get it to pumping,” Gibson said. “Once we get to pumping, that’ll get us back to running normal once we get it in place.”

Residents facing any water issues or concerns are encouraged to contact Byrdstown City Hall for more information.