The community of Stebbins has been experiencing an ongoing “water crisis” since the community’s water line froze in late November.
City Administrator Nora Tom says an alternative to using the frozen water line is to use trucks with 2,000 gallon tanks to haul water from the local lake, about five miles outside of town. Currently, Stebbins’ two water trucks are in need of repair, but Tom hopes they will be running by the end of the week.
One concerned citizen says water use at the community’s washeteria is being restricted, so people in Stebbins cannot take showers right now and, instead, must travel to St. Michael. Stebbins’ remaining water supply is limited, and Tom says if the situation continues without change, the community will be completely out of water by the end of December.
While the water line is frozen, Stebbins will rely on hauling water to the washeteria so residents can continue washing their clothes, take showers, and drink water; but it is unclear how much water this will provide and for how long it can be sustained.
