GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. — Greene County Sheriff's Office said water service is restored for the town of Greeneville. The sheriff's office, Greene County Emergency Management and Greeneville Water Commission are working to gradually extend water access to neighboring towns.
Sheriff Wesley Holt said water in Greeneville was restored on Friday. Holt said Greeneville only has water right now because the county and water department recently established new portable pumps.
"This is just temporary," Holt said. "The water commission here in Greeneville will eventually probably have to build a new facility to bring water into Greeneville."
County leaders said smaller utility districts around the county depend on the Greeneville Water Commission (GWC) supply. GWC supplies all of the water to about 74,000 neighbors.
Operators plan to gradually extend water access to surrounding towns by Monday.
"Gradually because if they try to bring it all back up online at once then it will deplete the water supply in Greeneville again," he said.
Holt said about 80% of the county was without water for a week. The county's water system was destroyed by flash floods of the Nolichucky River. The strong water force destroyed the water treatment plant.
"There was no way to generate water," Holt said.
Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison said the new temporary pumps run on fuel rather than electricity.
"The temporary plant should sustain the county indefinitely," he said. "The reason you don't want to do that is because these pumps are diesel pumps."
GWC gets its water from the Nolichucky River.
"The Greenville Water Commission has started pumping water now out of the river into their treatment facility," Morrison said.
Morrison said TEMA and FEMA will help with infrastructure water repair expenses.
A water boil advisory is still in effect for Greene County until further notice. GWC recommends boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes before consumption.