The City of Woodward is without water after two mains broke Thursday.

Mayor Brian Devick tells Raccoon Valley Radio they found a leak near a shut off valve late Thursday afternoon.  Because the break was by the valves, crews were not able to isolate the issue for repairs and when they wet to shut off the water another break occurred.  This forced the City to turn off all water in town around midnight, which the Mayor says effects more than 1,000 people.

“It was a perfect storm and couldn’t have gone much worse” says Devick of the locations of the break.

As of 8:00 this morning, Devick says the first break has been repaired.  The other is located under around 10 inches of concrete which is slowing things down.

The Mayor tells us they hope to have water back on this afternoon, though a mandatory boil order will then be issued until tests show the water is safe for consumption.  He predicts this will be in effect for at least 48 hours.

All area restaurants are closed due to the lack of water, as is a local daycare.  Devick says businesses, like the Woodward Casey’s General Store has bottled water available for those who need it.

Right now, Devick says it’s just an inconvenience for people who had to get up this morning and were unable to shower or flush their toilets before work, but hopes are that water is flowing again by the time they return home.

The Mayor says City crews have been doing a great job of working hard to get the repairs done as soon as possible and thanks them for working around the clock.

Raccoon Valley Radio will continue to bring you updates as they become official.