MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW) President and CEO Doug McGowen spoke with the media Monday, saying there were still more than 100 reported leaks in businesses and homes around Memphis, and full restoration of the system could take four to five days.
McGowen said Monday morning MLGW customers can stop dripping water faucets in order to prevent freezing pipes, since the temperature is now above freezing, but should drip them Monday night if temperatures drop again.
One of the biggest issues McGowen said was numerous fire protection system breaks throughout the city that required enormous amounts of water to function, and lose significant pressure when leaking. MLGW said 22 of these leaks have been repaired as of noon Monday.
"This is an all-hands-on-deck effort," McGowen said. "Gas crews and qualified electrical crews are helping our water crews find leaks, and members of the community have been pitching in to help as well."
MLGW said their priority is restoring water pressure to critical buildings like hospitals, and is providing water tankers to help those facilities.
McGowen also said the Liberty Bowl and surrounding hotels have lost pressure, potentially impacting Wednesday's Liberty Bowl game.
MLGW has not provided an update on their boil water advisory for Memphis.
Many customers are still without water or have very low water pressure.
MLGW said the company will distribute cases of bottled water to those in need again on Tuesday, following its first bottled water giveaway that happened on Monday, Dec. 26.
Water will be distributed Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, or until supplies run out at Pleasant Chapel Missionary Baptist Church located at 4813 Benjestown Rd. and Hickory Ridge Mall located at 6075 Winchester Rd.
MLGW said bottled water cases are limited to one case per car.
Effects of winter weather
On Sunday, Dec. 25 MLGW extended the boil water order to all MLGW customers due to incidents of water main breaks and below freezing temperatures. Originally, the order only applied to customers who lived in Southeast and North Shelby County areas.
MLGW reported that there were five known water main breaks.
Since severely cold temperatures, snow, and winter weather began Thursday, Dec. 22, Memphians who live in areas serviced by Shelby County have been experiencing low water pressure.
Some MLGW customers have also reported water outages, leaving them without a reliable water source. There has been recurring instances of water leaks and busted pipes across the city as well.
According to MLGW, despite its efforts to prepare for severe winter weather, there has been "record damage"
MLGW said employees are working around the clock, but workers cannot restore water pressure and resolve water outages until they are able to better manage and gain control of water leaks across the city.
The company is urging customers to call the 24-hour emergency number at 528-4465 if they see water coming out of the ground or water running out of homes or businesses.
When reporting water leaks and water emergencies, provide a cross street or intersection.
MLGW is also asking business owners to check their properties for leaks, burst pipes, and broken fire protection systems.
