MLGW just put in an emergency water order. Here's what that means for you.

Omer Yusuf, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read

Memphis, Light, Gas and Water is asking customers to limit all non-essential water use as it seeks to address issues within the water system that rose over recent days.

MLGW initialized the Emergency Water Management Phase of the Drought Management Plan on Monday afternoon as it works to find, fix or isolate main breaks and broken water services.

MLGW said all non-essential water uses such as washing cars is prohibited until further notice. All carwash facilitates are being notified to cease operations effectively immediately, according to MLGW.

In a Monday news conference, MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen said MLGW’s distribution system has suffered 22 water main breaks, of which 19 have been repaired. An additional three happened overnight, and McGowen expects those to be repaired quickly.

Fixes in the works:MLGW: Four or five days still to fully restore Memphis water system

Boil advisory:MLGW customers on Christmas Day with water boil advisory, some with low pressure, outages

MLGW has also helped cutoff 177 leaks at businesses and homes, McGowen said. MLGW is working on cutting off another 122 leaks just since last night, and he expects that number to increase throughout the day. The area also remains under a boil water advisory, McGowen said he expects it to be another four to five days before the water system is fully fixed.

In a news release Monday, MLGW offered guidance to residential and commercial customers on how to limit water usage.

Residential customers should limit water usage by:

  • Not washing vehicles

  • Washing of clothes and dishes only when necessary and by hand using a dishpan if possible

  • Not letting water run while shaving

  • Taking short showers instead of tub baths (Turning off the water flow while soaping or shampooing. If someone must use a tub, close the drain before turning on the water and fill the tub only half full.)

  • Not using water to defrost frozen foods (Thaw in the refrigerator overnight instead)

  • Sweeping driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing off

Commercial and industrial Customers should limit water usage by:

  • Not flushing out any systems unless necessary

  • Cutting back to 75% usage unless water is needed for production of goods and services

  • Any nurseries, garden centers, etc. should only use the amount of water necessary to keep plants alive

Omer Yusuf covers the Ford project in Haywood County, FedEx, tourism and banking for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached via email Omer.Yusuf@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @OmerAYusuf.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MLGW just put in an emergency order. Here's what that means for you.