Up to four million gallons may be lost each day due to water line breaks around Greene County.
Greeneville Water Commission manager Laura White said that the normal water usage for Greene County at this time of year is between 7 million and 8 million gallons per day. However, since Christmas Day that number has climbed to over 12 million gallons per day. While some of that increase might normally be chalked up to growth or a busier time of year, most of that water is thought to be lost from broken water lines.
A combination of the low temperatures and the length of time that the temperature remained below freezing has led to a signficant number of frozen lines. As temperatures have warmed the last two days, those frozen lines are breaking and water is being lost.
Both White and Chuckey Utility District manager Tyson Lamb urge people to check their water meters to see if an abnormal amount of water usage is occurring. To do so, make sure there is no water being used on your property for showers, dishwashers, washing machines, or toilets. Then look at your water meter. It should not be moving if no water is being used in the house.
If you suspect a water leak, contact your water supplier:
- Chuckey Utility District: (423) 639-6362
- Cross Anchor Utility District (423) 639-5125
- Glen Hills Utility District ( 423) 639-8622
- Greeneville Water Commission (423) 638-3148
- North Greene Utilities Inc (423) 234-3145
- Old Knoxville Highway Utility District (423) 422-1660
- Town of Mosheim Utility (423) 422-4051
