UPDATE, May 6 | Louisburg residents may return to normal water usage, as the city plans to lift the water watch at a meeting Wednesday evening.
Water problems started with an equipment failure at the Marais des Cygnes Public Utility Authority, which caused the city to have to rely solely on the supply in city water towers.
The Louisburg City Council issued a water emergency on Monday, which was downgraded to a watch on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the city reports the water treatment plant has been repaired and is fully operational.
A special meeting has been called for 6 p.m. Wednesday for the council to formally lift the watch.
ORIGINAL REPORT, May 5 | The Louisburg City Council took action Tuesday afternoon to downgrade a water emergency to a water watch.
The emergency meeting was called after members passed a resolution Monday night declaring a Stage 3 water emergency due to an equipment failure at the Marais des Cygnes Public Utility Authority, causing a water supply shortage.
Council members passed a resolution at the emergency meeting, now classifying the situation as a Class 1 Water Watch. Residents are urged to make "efficient use of water."
Water treatment plant crews worked throughout the night, and a second specialty crew arrived Tuesday to assist with repairs, per the city.
During the emergency meeting, the city council said one clarifier was offline due to a malfunction. And while repairing that, a second went offline.
By 3 a.m. Tuesday, one was repaired and back in action, pushing some water back to Louisburg water towers, according to the council.
The council expects city towers to be full by Wednesday, though work will continue on the other clarifier.
During the water emergency, residents were asked to forgo any tasks that require significant water, and businesses were prohibited from using water, which caused USD 416 to cancel school on Tuesday.
Now that the situation has been downgraded, the city council said all businesses — except the bulk water station and car washes — can open.
The city plans to continue providing updates on its Facebook page and website.
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