Work starts at Moberly mobile home park where residents have been without water
MOBERLY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Work began on the water system at a Moberly mobile home park Wednesday, several days after residents stopped receiving clean water in their homes.
Residents at Riley’s Mobile Home Park in Moberly have been without running water for about five days. Some say the outage is part of a yearslong pattern of sewer and water problems at the park.
The City of Moberly shut off the park’s water on Friday after discovering contamination. A notice from the park’s management team to residents cited a water line leak. A sign states that the park is run by MillCo Management Co. LLC.
Scott McGarvey, a city spokesperson, said replacement wastewater pumps have been installed. Businesses along the road were expected to have their water service restored Wednesday under a boil advisory, while a contractor hired by the property management company was preparing to begin disinfecting the mobile home park’s water system Thursday morning.
The disinfection process is time-intensive and requires laboratory testing to confirm the results, McGarvey said. The city does not have an estimated date for when water service will be restored to the mobile home park. The contractor will keep residents and the city informed of progress, he said.
Residents told ABC 17 News that property managers stopped by Tuesday evening to distribute bottled water and gallon jugs.
Once repairs are complete, the water system must be disinfected and samples sent to a lab for testing before service can safely resume, McGarvey said.
The city also requested a “detailed report of progress” on the repairs from the property owners.
On Wednesday, contractors were working on water lines in front of the park. One contractor said the company was preparing to flush the lines before restoring water service.
Residents told ABC 17 News that property managers stopped by Tuesday evening to distribute bottled water and gallon jugs.
Paul Brown, who has lived at the park since about 2006, has been helping distribute water to his neighbors. He said the park’s original owner did a good job of maintaining the property and working with residents.
A notice from management states residents will receive prorated rent credits for each day water service is unavailable. It also promises reimbursement for showers at a nearby Break Time.
Brown said he remains skeptical about how long repairs will take and hopes the owners follow through on the rent credits.
“I'll believe it when I see it,” Brown said.
Deanna Goble said the outage has made basic household tasks, including washing dishes and doing laundry, more difficult. On Wednesday, she loaded dirty clothes into her car and went to a family member’s home to use a washing machine and take a shower.
Goble, who has two children and five dogs, estimated her household uses at least 5 gallons of water a day. She said the property owners have not been responsive to her concerns.
“We did get letters two times in a row of them upping rent, stating they were upping it to help improve the park, but they've not done nothing to do that,” Goble said.
Randy Rudkin, who has lived at the park since 2006, said residents have dealt with sewer problems for about three years. He was surprised when the water was shut off and said the lack of running water has made using the bathroom especially difficult.
Rudkin and his son have been collecting water from a nearby body of water and carrying it inside in buckets to flush their toilet.
“When you have to go to the store and get 20 to 30 gallons of water a day just to survive, it ain't good,” Rudkin said.
MillCo did not respond to requests for comment.
