Rogersville Community Nears Two Weeks Without Running Water

ROGERSVILLE, Mo. -- It's been almost two weeks and the residents at Oak Crest Estates are still without running water.

In that time, Convoy of Hope has been dropping off water to residents who get water from a community well.

Landlord Ken Boyer says he's called more than 50 well companies to fix the problem to no avail. They've all told him there's too much work elsewhere.

Now Boyer says he's taking matters into his own hands.

"We are kind of running into a desperate situation now," says resident Sam Victor, who's been without running water for 12 days and counting.

"It's been rough," adds resident Charles Manser. "Just been trying to get water when we can."

"No water. Can't flush the toilets," says Tony Davis. "When it comes back on you won't be able to drink it anyway because it's probably going to be under a boil alert."

It all started when pipes that pump water to 108 lots broke off and dropped down into the well.

"Two-inch steel pipes," says Boyer. "So we're talking 11,000 or 12,000 pounds and 420 feet of wire fell down into the well."

Boyer says he's been working every day trying to find a well company to help him but they're all busy.

"Right now is the worst time to get a well driller or well something because of the fact that we're having a drought all over the country."

He says if they can't get the pipes and pumps out of the well, the only alternative is to drill a new well.

"You're talking $30,000 just to drill the hole and then about another $18,000 to $20,000 to put the well on it, which the community association does not have that kind of money."

It will be two weeks on Wednesday that residents have lived without running water; eight of those days have been 100 degrees or more.

"It's too hot now," says Victor. "It's really hot. I mean, if it's cold we can be without a shower for 12 days but these days, no, we've got to shower."

"Over 100 degree weather it's pretty rough to be without water," says Manser. "So just everybody stick together. That's all I can tell you. Stick together and help each other out."

Boyer says this situation can go one of two ways.

"If we can recover the pump, if we can latch on it, get it and pull it out, within six hours there would be water."

If not, Boyer says they'll have to go through a process with the state to drill a new well. That would mean it could be weeks -- even months -- before the residents at Oak Crest Estates have running water again.

Ken Boyer says the two well companies he deals with cannot be named for legal reasons, but both times the pump broke in the well they refused to cover the cost.

The warranty was up after one year and the last pump put in lasted one year and 30 days before it fell apart.

A local company donated the use of a crane truck and on Wednesday they are going to try and fix the problem.