Greene County neighborhood faces uncertain water supply due to aging well system

GREENE COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) — For the third time in the last 18 years, a small community in northern Greene County is struggling with its water supply.

“I wish we lived closer to a river because I could just go get water. Instead, I have to drive 8 miles to go to the gas station,” said Tracy Archer.

Water has been scarce for people in the Wadsworth subdivision, located just outside Fair Grove, due to an old well that serves all the homes.

“They replaced the pump in 2018. They just did it again last week. The water was on Friday evening, finally. It ran last night until about 6. Then we didn’t have water until after 10,” said Archer.

She says she keeps jugs of water on hand for times when the system stops working.

“Nobody disclosed anything to us about it being on a shared well when we bought the property. It was kind of a shock a couple of months after we moved in, and suddenly we didn’t have water one day,” she said.

Installed in 1970, the water well has outlived its shelf life, according to the Wadsworth Water Board President. Although the board has been making fixes along the way to keep the system going, a complete overhaul is needed.

“That would be a massive undertaking. At this point, our focus has been just trying to figure out a way to get a new tank,” said volunteer board president Josiah Cloud.

He says they don’t have the budget or resources needed to make any permanent repairs.

“We have looked into so many different things, from nonprofit status to be able to get grants through the USDA or the Department of Natural Resources. The barriers to entry on all of that are just ridiculous,” explained Cloud.

He says he is also frustrated. However, the board says it will continue to do its best to keep the water running.

“We do what we can with what we have, with the funding that we have from the people who actually do pay,” said Cloud.

Archer said, “If I had the option, I would move to get away from this. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.”

She says that the Department of Natural Resources will be testing the water quality on Wednesday.

The Wadsworth Water Board plans to meet this Sunday at 3 pm.

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