Residents at senior living home coping with the water crisis

WAYNE, W.Va. (WSAZ) — The town of Wayne is flushing its water system following a do-not-consume order issued last Friday.

The order came after it was discovered oil had leaked into their water source.

Residents are being told it could be up to nine days before they get the clear to drink their water again, possibly longer depending on how the upcoming weather affects operations.

Community members have been helping ease the burden on the residents of the Wayne Charter House.

It’s a home for seniors and people with disabilities. Close to 70 people live there.

A church congregation and community members have been dropping off bottled water.

“We have handicapped and elderly people who don’t get around as good, so we deliver the water to them,” Lute Hall, the building’s maintenance technician, said. “The main thing is everybody seems to be getting along OK here.”

Wilma Stevens has lived in the building more than a year. She said she noticed her water having a faint oily odor a few days ago, but she doesn’t smell it any more.

She’s been heating bottled water to do dishes with and sharing the bottled water with her pet dog.

Laundry services are being offered at Wayne Town Hall, but Stevens said she’s still doing her laundry in her building, and she hasn’t had any complaints.

She’s grateful for those who’ve helped them out.

“They help take care of us, and we help take care of each other,” she said. “The community has really reached out.”

A mobile shower unit is set up outside the building.

An official with the West Virginia Department of Health said they are advising people not to take baths or wash clothes with the water at this point. They say they have no analytical evidence indicating that would be a problem, but they’re being as protective as possible.

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