WAVERLY, Ohio — As of 7:30 AM on January 28, the long-awaited end to the Do Not Use Order for Waverly has provided a much-needed reprieve for residents. However, a boil advisory is still in effect for the entire Village and will remain until further notice. All water must be boiled vigorously for at least one minute before being used for drinking, cooking, or other consumption.
On Monday, the water crisis, which reached a critical point, had crews working tirelessly to repair damaged supply lines and restore water tank levels. The process was complicated by cold temperatures, which slowed down repairs and added pressure on the crews working around the clock to resolve the situation.
On Monday, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) provided an update on the crisis. “Ohio EPA is actively monitoring the situation in Waverly. The city repaired a major leak over the weekend and is working with other public water systems to locate another. Right now, it’s critical that consumers minimize their water usage to allow for repairs and ensure that essential services, such as hospitals and nursing homes, maintain adequate water supply,” said an OEPA spokesperson.
The state of emergency, which had placed Waverly residents under a strict Do Not Use Order, prohibited all water usage for drinking, cooking, bathing, and more—except for critical facilities such as healthcare centers. This emergency declaration was made to ensure that vital services continued to have sufficient water while the public water system underwent repairs.
In a morning update, the Waverly Fire Department announced the lifting of the Do Not Use Order but reminded residents that the boil advisory remains in effect. “Please continue to boil all water for consumption,” the Fire Department stated.
Waverly City Schools remain closed today due to the lingering effects of the water crisis.
Although the Do Not Use Order has been lifted, residents are urged to continue conserving water to help maintain system pressure and facilitate repairs.