UPDATE, Dec. 16, 2:55 p.m. | Independence said the results of the water samples are expected around 9 p.m. Until then, the boil water advisory remains in effect for all customers, even those with water flowing.
"Our sincere thanks to our crews for working to get water back to everyone, and to our residents and customers for their patience during this unprecedented event," the city said in a note on its website.
UPDATE, Dec. 16, 6:55 a.m. | Water pressure should be back to normal across Independence, per city spokesperson Rebecca Gannon.
Gannon said power returned to the transformer around 7 p.m. Monday, and it started pumping water after 10 p.m.
"And thankfully, we have been running steady through the night," Gannon said.
Independence is no longer using KC Water.
"Around 11:30 Monday night, municipalities in eastern Jackson County and Lafayette County began receiving Independence Water," Gannon said.
Now that water is being pumped from the Courtney Bend Water Treatment Plant, reservoirs are filling back up.
Gannon said water samples have been collected at 16 sites across Independence for testing.
The boil water advisory remains in effect at this time.
Additional information from the city can be found here.
UPDATE, Dec. 15, 11:30 p.m. | About an hour ago, the city was able to start pumping water from the Courtney Bend Water Plant.
However, the water will not return immediately.
"We have to go slowly to make sure we don't mess up a water main or something in the infrastructure," said Rebecca Gannon, Independence spokesperson. "But we should see water supply and pressure rise in the overnight hours."
UPDATE, Dec. 15, 8:30 p.m. | The Independence School District will have school as normal on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
UPDATE, Dec. 15, 8 p.m. | Power is back on at the Courtney Bend Water Plant in Independence. Water could be available to customers by Tuesday morning.
Independence crews started to bring power back to the plant around 7 p.m. Monday.
The boil water advisory remains for all customers.
Customers are advised to bring water to a rolling boil for three to five minutes, then let the water cool, prior to consuming.
UPDATE, Dec. 15, 6 p.m. | City spokesperson Rebecca Gannon explained crews started preventive maintenance last week on the transformers at the Courtney Bend Water Plant. One had been taken offline for maintenance when the second one failed.
"This is unprecedented what we are dealing with now," Gannon said Monday.
The duration of the low water/boil advisory remains unclear as crews continue to grab water from Kansas City, Missouri, and work to get the plant's power back up.
“I was told we are not opening today," Garrett Morris, of Square Pizza, told KSHB 41 reporter Megan Abundis. "We are just sort of waiting for the proper answers. We use water for the dough, our sauce, warmers for our pizza oven, the list goes on and on. It's hard to comprehend stuff without water.”
Independence resident Margaret Alegira was in the downtown area to pay bills Monday morning.
“I was going to pay my taxes today and get it over with it, and they said, 'No, we’re closed until noon,'” Alegira said. “I wanted to get them paid before Christmas.”
The Independence School District sent all students home Monday due to the water issue.
Fort Osage told KSHB 41 the advisory did not affect Buckner Elementary School. However, bottled water was delivered to school buildings to be available for students and staff "as needed."
Paul Kinder Middle School, Sunny Pointe Elementary School and William Yates Elementary School in the Blue Springs School District were affected by the water issue.
Oak Grove R-VI students were dismissed early Monday.
Additionally, the Truman Courthouse was closed all day, and all Mid-Continent Public Library locations in Independence closed at 11 a.m.
—
