KENTWOOD, La. — On Wednesday, officials from the Town of Kentwood announced on Facebook that residents would be without water for a couple of days due to a malfunctioning well that was installed seven years ago.
According to Mayor Irma T. Gordon, a trap door located at the bottom of a 17-foot well is not opening correctly and thus not allowing water to feed outward to the community.
Water leaks caused by the cold weather experienced earlier in the week were initially to blame for the town's low water pressure. But maintenance crews later discovered it was the malfunctioning door in the well.
The mayor said the town will have to drain the well completely multiple times to both repair and test the trap door over the next several days. Following the third fill, the state will have to test the water for drinking.
Town officials announced on Thursday that the first water truck arrived at 3 p.m.
The announcement states: "The drive-thru will start on 5th Street (Firetruck side) of City Hall and come out on the police side which will put motorists back out on Louisiana Highway 38 to turn right and move toward U.S. Highway 51."
Officials also ask residents to bring extra containers to fill from barrels being brought to the distribution site.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated once further information becomes available.
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