PERRY TWP. − Running water has been fully restored at Fresh Meadows Mobile Home Park after two weeks of issues resulting from leaks in the water system.
Interruptions to residents’ water began late Dec. 7 at the Navarre Avenue SW site. That evening, the park’s water system, which runs on well water, experienced depressurization due to cold-weather-related leaks from frozen pipes, according to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
A boil advisory was issued. The lack of proper pressure made it so some residents had minimal or no water for an extended period.
A leak detection company identified major underground leaks impacting the water system. Those sections of line were excavated and repaired Dec. 23 and running water resumed for all of the approximately 100 residents.
Fresh Meadows residents suffer without water
Some residents, like 45-year-old Diane Beaver, were without running water for over two weeks.
She relied on friends and water from a nearby public park to do basic tasks.
“We haven’t been able to bathe, we haven’t been able to go to our sinks and run water, we haven’t been able to do our dishes,” she said on Dec. 22.
The lack of water was a major interruption to her daily life. Beaver struggled to cook and had to go out for food most days.
“That’s getting expensive,” she said. “It’s not fair.”
Beaver, an EMS driver, has owned multiple homes in the trailer park over 13 years of living there. She lives with her boyfriend.
She’s grateful to have her water restored, but she’s concerned by how long it took to get repairs finished. She’s wary about experiencing something like it again.
Fresh Meadows responds
In a statement, Fresh Meadows management said the company acted quickly to address the water issues.
“Fresh Meadows experienced a water service disruption caused by multiple underground infrastructure leaks. Upon identifying the issue, management immediately engaged licensed professionals and specialty vendors to diagnose the problem and work toward a permanent resolution.
“Our residents are our top priority, and throughout this process management remained in regular communication with residents, as well as the Ohio EPA and relevant city and county officials, while working on a daily basis with the community’s licensed well operator to address the issue properly and safely,” it said.
The mobile home park remains under a boil advisory until water samples are tested for bacteria and submitted to the EPA. Fresh Meadows management is continuing to provide bottled water for drinking in the meantime.
The Ohio Department of Commerce, through its manufactured homes program, licenses manufactured home park owners annually. Ohio law requires park operators maintain water systems in a safe and sanitary manner. Failure to do so could impact state licensing, according to an Ohio Department of Commerce spokesperson.
Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@usatodayco.com Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Residents in Perry Township mobile home endure two weeks without water
Reporting by Grace Springer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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