The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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November 29, 2012

City refilling line supplying Covington with water

By James Neal, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID, Okla. — City of Enid crews are refilling a 20-inch water line that supplies water to the town of Covington.

City of Enid Public Works Director Jim McClain said crews were refilling the line at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Water was reduced to Covington residents Tuesday when the line was taken off-line for repairs.

The 20-inch water line supplies water to both Koch Nitrogen and Covington.

“We’re filling the line, but we won’t know how things are going to go until it’s filled and pressured up,” McClain said.

McClain said he hopes to have Covington’s water towers replenished and regular water service restored tonight, if the water line holds up under full pressure.

Covington utilities superintendent Mike Schram said the town has been using reduced water supply from the Hunter Rural Water District since Tuesday, but the supply from that line is only 30 gallons per minute, far from meeting the demands of residential customers.

“It’s about enough to flush the toilets, but you can’t take a shower or anything like that,” Schram said Thursday.

City of Enid spokesman Jacob Foos said the pace of repairs to the 20-inch line was slowed because the number of leaks surpassed the city’s supply of repair sleeves.

“The city keeps spare 20-inch sleeves to make repairs; however, the multiple line breaks have exceeded the spares available to make all repairs,” Foos said in a prepared press statement. “The condition of the line requires replacement of sections of the pipe. Fittings and pipe for 20-inch  water lines are not common and must be brought in from regional suppliers. In addition to the wait, it requires time to install the new materials.”

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