Rome water pump station failure impacts Mt. Alto residents; mitigation efforts underway

Rome water pump station failure impacts Mt. Alto residents; mitigation efforts underway

October 4th, 2024 – 4:50 PM

City of Rome Press Release –

The City of Rome’s pump station, which supplies water to the Mt. Alto tank, has experienced a critical failure in both its primary and secondary pumps.

This failure is impacting the delivery of drinking water to approximately 170 households in the area, resulting in a temporary interruption of water supply to residents in the affected area.

The City is working diligently to address the issue and minimize the disruption.

Both the primary and secondary pumps at the station have failed, resulting in a disruption to the drinking water supply.

City crews attempted to install a temporary pump overnight; however, due to the unique topography and design of the local water system, the pump was not able to meet the area’s needs.

Following an extensive nationwide search, the City has located a replacement pump in Pennsylvania, and efforts are underway to transport it to Rome immediately.

In addition, the City has contracted with a pump supplier in Pelham, Georgia, to build a custom pump tailored to the system’s requirements.

This custom pump is expected to arrive in Rome as early as midnight tonight, October 4, 2024. Once on-site, City crews will mobilize to install the pump as quickly as possible to restore water service.

In the meantime, the City urges residents in the affected area to conserve water, as the tank’s water level is continuing to drop. For public safety, the Rome Fire Department is prepared to deploy a tanker truck to the area if necessary.

To assist residents, the City has stationed a non-potable water truck at the intersection of Mt. Alto Road and Mangum Road. Residents can fill containers for non-drinking water purposes at this location.

“We deeply apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our residents,” said Sammy Rich, Rome City Manager. “This is a rare situation, and our teams are working around the clock to resolve the issue and restore full service as soon as possible.”

The City of Rome notified affected residents of the water pump failure yesterday and is providing ongoing updates throughout the repair process to keep the residents informed of progress and available resources.

For further information or assistance, residents can contact the Rome Water & Sewer Division at 706-236-4560.