WEIRTON, W. Va. (WTRF) - The Weirton Area Water Board (WAWB) provided an update to residents Friday morning stating the mandatory conservation order will be in effect until March 14.
In a press release, the board wrote, "it is our hope that water tank storage levels will be
re-established, allowing for the discontinuation of the mandatory conservation order by this date."
Weirton has been under a mandatory conservation order since mid-December.
The WAWB recently approved the installation of a temporary pipeline from Cleveland Cliffs one-million-gallon water reservoir to Weirton's three-million-gallon Lee Ave. reservoir.
RELATED: Weirton Area Water Board members gather for emergency meeting, approved agreement to construct temporary pipe to deliver portable water
A solution can’t come soon enough for residents impacted by the water crisis.
A letter written by West Virginia Delegate Pat McGeehan sparked an investigation by the WVPSC, a move the city’s attorney, Vince Gurrera, says they expected.
“The city of Weirton is going to fully cooperate with the PSC, as we always do. We did expect to get an investigation letter once Delegate McGeehan sent the letter out. We're more alarmed about the fact that Delegate McGeehan has done absolutely nothing to help us but insisted on doing an investigation.”
Vince Gurrera | Attorney, The City of Weirton
Gurrera clarified he does not represent the WAWB but says “we look forward to being vindicated after the PSC does their investigation.”
During an interview with 7News, Delegate McGeehan said he felt he needed to write the letter to help residents get answers.
RELATED: WV Delegate writes letter to WV Public Service Commission, sparking an investigation into the Weirton Area Water Board
Guerra said he hasn’t contacted the board or the city, or helped secure any state funds or attended any public meetings on the matter.
In a previous interview, Delegate McGeehan said early press statements by city officials made him think the issue wasn’t serious.
“I have no clue what he's talking about. And even if he thought the press statements were being made, he's still our delegate. He still could have contacted us, or at least he could have contacted us and said, why are we making those statements?”
Vince Gurrera | Attorney, The City of Weirton
As the investigation continues, Guerra says they look forward to any advice they receive from the state commission and that the water board is working every day to restore their water tank levels.
Stay with 7News as we continue to follow this story.