ARVIN, CA-- Residents are still without drinking water in Arvin. Saturday morning lines of cars stretched around the block as people waited in line for free bottled water. This comes after a 40-year-old tree fell and uprooted an underground water main Thursday night.
Most residents understand the water main broke because of an act of nature but they are also frustrated because there was a limited number of water bottles and many residents went home empty handed.
“It's hard because we need the water for drink, cooking, and the shower," said Arvin resident Cecilia Aguilar.
Workers from the water district passed out 504 cases of water to those in need but some who waited in the long lines, like Darlene Upton, did not get any bottles.
"It's unfortunate that we have to take what little money we have to buy water when the city should provide our water," said Upton.
Officials from the water district say they understand people's frustration.
"We apologize and ask them if they can please come back in the morning when we are stocked up with water again,” said Jude Ureta, President of the Arvin Water Board. “We are doing the best we can."
Not having any drinkable water is hard enough on the residents of Arvin but it is also hard on the local businesses as they are shut down and can't reopen until the state and the county say the water is safe to drink.
"Just to give you an example of one business, in these two days he is going to lose over $20,000,” said Arvin Mayor Jose Flores. “Just one business due to the lack of water."
However, the Mayor does think it was the right call to close restaurants.
"It is necessary to have the businesses closed at this point because we don't want people to get sick," Flores said.
But he thinks the water district could have been better prepared.
"I'm frustrated with the water district because they should be ready,” Flores said. “It is not the first time the water line ruptured."
Bottled water will be handed out in Arvin to residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday January 26 at 309 Campus Drive.
Officials believe nearly 1,000 cases will be handed out but still recommend getting in line early. They are hopeful the water will be ready to drink by Wednesday but until an official notice is released the Kern County Health Department recommends boiling the water for at least one minute or using bottled water.
Most residents understand the water main broke because of an act of nature but they are also frustrated because there was a limited number of water bottles and many residents went home empty handed.
“It's hard because we need the water for drink, cooking, and the shower," said Arvin resident Cecilia Aguilar.
Workers from the water district passed out 504 cases of water to those in need but some who waited in the long lines, like Darlene Upton, did not get any bottles.
"It's unfortunate that we have to take what little money we have to buy water when the city should provide our water," said Upton.
Officials from the water district say they understand people's frustration.
"We apologize and ask them if they can please come back in the morning when we are stocked up with water again,” said Jude Ureta, President of the Arvin Water Board. “We are doing the best we can."
Not having any drinkable water is hard enough on the residents of Arvin but it is also hard on the local businesses as they are shut down and can't reopen until the state and the county say the water is safe to drink.
"Just to give you an example of one business, in these two days he is going to lose over $20,000,” said Arvin Mayor Jose Flores. “Just one business due to the lack of water."
However, the Mayor does think it was the right call to close restaurants.
"It is necessary to have the businesses closed at this point because we don't want people to get sick," Flores said.
But he thinks the water district could have been better prepared.
"I'm frustrated with the water district because they should be ready,” Flores said. “It is not the first time the water line ruptured."
Bottled water will be handed out in Arvin to residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday January 26 at 309 Campus Drive.
Officials believe nearly 1,000 cases will be handed out but still recommend getting in line early. They are hopeful the water will be ready to drink by Wednesday but until an official notice is released the Kern County Health Department recommends boiling the water for at least one minute or using bottled water.