GALAX, Va. (WDBJ) – Efforts to get everyone’s water flowing again in Galax continue.
Some Galax residents and businesses have working water again in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, but many remain without.
“Whether it’s to wash their clothes, take a bath or drink it, our top priority is to get our water system back up,” said DeWitt Cooper, the Galax Police Chief.
The good news is progress is being made at the water treatment plant. There are already two water tanks that are full and two more are almost there.
Michael Brown, the Chief Department Head at the water plant, says his team has been working hard to get the water back into people’s homes.
As it comes back online, he says right now it is crucial to boil it. “We are out doing Bac-T samples right now at this moment, and then we’re going to be sending those samples off over to Wytheville to the lab. Hopefully if they come out good, we can remove the boil water notice by Friday,” said Brown.
He says with the severity of the storm and not having a generator at the time the power went out, things are just taking a little longer.
In the meantime, the Galax Recreational Center is one of the main hubs where Galax, Grayson and Carroll County residents can come for bottled water from 8am to 6pm. People can also take a shower or even have a good night’s rest at the center.
Galax residents like Jason Kohl who are helping out at the center say four large truckloads of water have already been passed out to families and he’s amazed at how the community has come together.
“Sports teams at the high school, the football, basketball teams and coaches, that’s been the most impressive piece to see to the youth come out and step up to the plate.”
The city hopes to have the water back up and running by Friday.
God’s Storehouse on Oldtown Street is also providing free meals to community members between 4pm and 6pm until October 4th.
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