MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The City of Milledgeville is now distributing both drinking and non-drinkable water at several locations to folks who need it, and students at Baldwin High School are planning to work virtually Thursday with other schools remaining open.
The city is on its third day of asking folks to conserve water due to a failed pump at a water plant.
13WMAZ's Jessica Cha went to one of the locations to see how people are doing.
The county annex building is the only place where they were handing out drinking water on Wednesday.
Folks have been saying their water went out either Tuesday night or it's been out for days.
They say something must be done, because they're frustrated.
The city and Georgia Military College says they hear everyone and have launched a program that may be a possible long-term solution.
"You don't realize how often you grab for a glass of water or turn on the tap to rinse something out," says Galen Treichler.
Treichler has been without water for three days, and it's been inconvenient.
"Flushing the toilets been the biggest problem, so I just have to wait until it rains, or we get some water back," Treichler said.
Rhonda Nelson has been out of water for two days.
They've been buying bottled water, but not just for her family.
"We run an animal rescue here in town. The animals are going through 20-25 gallons every two days," said Nelson.
The city is making repairs at their water treatment plant now, but in collaboration with Georgia Military College, they want to create a long-term solution.
"We did recently launch our new environmental science and water technology program," explained GMC's Jeff Wells.
Wells says the college asked City Manager Hank Griffeth how they could help with the water problems.
He says Griffeth wanted to create a program because there's a shortage of folks working in water technology.
"Right now, they are probably operating with about 50 percent of what they need in the workforce," said Wells.
Wells says the two-year associate's degree program and partnership is a great way to help students, but also give back to their own community.
"Water is life. They can help sustain and strengthen their local communties," Wells said.
Folks without water like the sound of it.
"We should have done that a long time ago and it's very timely to have them now. We need people like that that understand the need of water. It's so expensive. If you don't have water, you don't have anything," Treichler said.
Nelson said, "That would be helpful to have the new generation step in and look at the infrastructure."
The program will launch in the coming fall in their virtual classes, and they'll eventually bring it to in-person classes.
Any GMC student can do the program.
The city handed out drinking water only at the Baldwin County Government Annex Building at 1601 North Columbus Street until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
If you need non-potable water for flushing toilets, for example, you can get it at one of five fire stations:
- Milledgeville Fire Rescue Station 2, 751 Dunlap Road
- Milledgeville Fire Rescue Station 1, 201 West Thomas Street
- Baldwin County Fire Rescue Station 1, 312 Allen Memorial Drive
- Baldwin County Fire Rescue Station 5, 207 Lovers Lane
- Baldwin County Fire Rescue Station 7, 105 Airport Road
Water distribution starts up again at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.