It’s been more than three months since Tidioute residents have been able to turn on their water faucet and simply use their water. It could still be another month before they can do so again depending on weather conditions and how quickly repairs are made.

The Southwest Warren County Municipal Authority is still working to stabilize its public water system following months of pressure loss, filtration problems and storm-related turbidity spikes. Crews have made progress in stabilizing portions of the system following a major waterline repair completed May 6. The Contact Tank has stabilized, the Town Tank has refilled, and filter flows are operating between 115 and 118 gallons per day. Turbidity readings at the plant’s Individual Filter Effluent and Combined Filter Effluent filters have remained below 2.0 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU), the measurement for clarity or cloudiness of a fluid, for at least five consecutive days. Before the advisory can be lifted, the authority must complete repairs, flush the entire system, monitor disinfectant levels and collect microbial samples throughout the distribution network. Once testing confirms the water is safe, residents will be notified through public notices, phone alerts or direct distribution methods.

What has happened in Tidioute is a reminder that water infrastructure needs to be a priority if we, as a county, are serious about attracting new residents and businesses to the area. We must be much more proactive in finding outside money to help perform regular maintenance on our public water systems. It’s telling that after fixing the Tidioute water main another suspected leak was quickly identified and scheduled for repair while crews are also having to prepare excavation work so they can do work on filtration beds.

These systems can be difficult to maintain in rural areas like Tidioute. But those who live in Tidioute deserve better. We need to learn from these past three months and do what we can collectively to make sure it doesn’t happen again.