EDWARDSVILLE -- People have been coming to water tanker sites in Luzerne County for hours, some filling up water for several households as thousands try to deal with a widespread water outage.
The 30-inch water main break in Kingston is affecting people in a large area of the Wyoming Valley as thousands of homes and business are doing whatever they can to get through this hot August day without water.
"I came here to help my wife out and do some laundry, and the laundromat has no water, so I have to find another one," said Plymouth resident James Rosensteel.
But that's not going to be an easy task for Rosensteel who came to a laundromat in Edwardsville. The "no water" sign is one that has been popping up in front of one business after another from Edwardsville to Luzerne, with many closing for the day.
"I got a call at 20 after five that we have no water and what to do? So I quickly ran down to the plant to see what's going on. We made the decision that we have to cancel the shift," said Timothy Getz, Hospital Central Service Center.
Hospital Central Service Center provides linens and laundry services to surrounding hospitals. Closing the center means more than 100 employees will have to come in on Saturday to get back on schedule. It's just another effect of life without water.
"It's a pain, just doing your everyday things like trying to brush your teeth and flush your toilets. It's just a big inconvenience!" said Kingston resident Fay Rene.
To help people cool down and hydrate, water tankers were set up throughout the day.
Although Pennsylvania American Water Company told customers there were tankers at four different sites, this one drew quite a line. It was the only one people could find at noontime.
"I live closer to Gerrity's in Luzerne, in the Luzerne Shopping Center, that's what they said, and they are not there. So that's why they came down here, after that," said John Harch of Pringle.
"I've been over to the one by Gerrity's in Luzerne. I've been over to the other one. It's like, this is the last one, and I come here and there's only one little truck? Are you kidding me?" added Edward Kates of Edwardsville.
"This is around 12 o'clock, but there's nobody there. So they said,' well maybe they went to refill it,' something like that," said Corey Broody.
(Updated 8/21) Pennsylvania American Water says water tankers are now at these locations:
- Lowe's, Edwardsville
- Swoyersville Borough Building
- Intersection of Walnut and Wyoming Avenue, Kingston
- Luzerne Shopping Center, Luzerne
- Vaughn Street, Luzerne
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