GALLIA COUNTY — Despite circulated rumors that water service will be shut off to Gallia County Rural Water and Gallipolis Water Department customers, officials are reporting that these rumors are false and the Gallia County Rural Water Association has stated that they are working to restore water throughout the county.

An official with the Gallia Rural Water Association reported on Monday afternoon that loss of water service or loss of water pressure is a result of the loss of electricity to their water pumps.

“We are having problems getting water to our tanks due to the electric being out, and we are working around the clock to get water to everybody,” the official said.

Reportedly, Gallia Rural Water lost several outlying pumps due to the power outage and had been working with assessors with the Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate the water pumping stations throughout the county. They are working to bring in generators to restore water to residents.

A boil water advisory has been issued for some residents of Morgan Township due to a main line water break.

According to the rural water association’s website, the boil advisory is for the residents living in the following areas:

Starting at the intersection of Morgan Lane, south onto Roush Hollow Road to address 3208; from the intersection of of Roush Hollow Road, south onto George Road to address 1984.

Gallia Rural Water customers in these areas, as well as customers who are experiencing low water pressure are under a boil advisory until further notice.

All affected consumers are encouraged to vigorously boil their water for at least three minutes.

For those individuals in Gallia County experiencing a loss or shortage of water, several water stations have been established throughout the county.

Four tractor trailer loads of bottled water were received by county officials early on Monday morning following a request that was made to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and this water is being given to those families in need at distribution centers at the Springfield Township Fire Department; Crown City Fire Department; Greenfield Township Fire Department and at the Gallia County Senior Citizen’s Center located at 1167 Ohio 160.

According to Gallia County 911 Director Sherry Daines, water is being distributed in limited quantities and will be given out to only those individuals in need.

“We are being careful about how we distribute this. People who have no water, who have been out for two or three days, they will have a higher priority,” Daines said.

Residents who have questions in regard to the availability of drinking water are encouraged to call Gallia County Emergency Operations’ Center at (740) 446-0068.

Officials are also warning individuals about the safety of their refrigerated food during the power outage and are asking residents to exercise caution when consuming food that has remained unrefrigerated.

According to information provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Health, if the power is out for longer than two hours, the following guidelines should be followed:

For the freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for up to 48 hours. Individuals are advised to only open the freezer door if absolutely necessary.

For the refrigerated section: Milk and other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy and spoilable leftovers should be packed into a cooler and surrounded by ice.

Residents are also advised to use a food thermometer to check the temperature of their food before cooking. Any food that is more than 40 degree Fahrenheit should be discarded.

For individuals needing to discard their spoiled food, the City of Gallipolis has acquired a dumpster from Waste Management that will be stationed, beginning on Tuesday, at the city garage located on Chestnut Street, Gallipolis.

Only spoiled meat and other food will be accepted.

Officials are also seeking to acquire a second dumpster for this purpose that will be placed at a yet-to-be-determined location in the county.