Chinook has water - but don't drink it

After being without running water for around a day, Chinook's dry spell has been reversed.

Chinook's running water has been restored, but the city has been put under a state of emergency until tests on the water has been completed.

"There was probably about a softball-sized hole in the main line out of the plant," Chinook Mayor Keith Hanson said.

Hanson added that the break was caused by old piping. The main line coming out of the plant has been there since 1957.

City workers were giving residents drinking water Wednesday and this morning. More water will be handed out from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Blaine County Fairgrounds commercial building today.

"We put our city on a state of emergency," Hanson said. " ... We have to make sure our water is potable again."

Hanson said everyone should have running water, but they should not drink it. Residents are told they can bathe, wash clothes and use toilets, but should not drink it until tests come back and report the water is safe for consumption.

The test takes 24 hours to complete, and if it comes back positive for safe use, the state of emergency will be lifted Friday.

"We're hoping to have our system up and running again for graduation and Memorial Day," Hanson said, addingd that this was not a guarantee.

Running water was re-established at 6 p.m. Wednesday after crews patched the broken water main.

"We have such a great crew out there working," Hanson said. "In a time of crisis, this community comes together."