HENAGAR, Alabama (WAFF) – The Dekalb-Jackson Water Supply District recently notified area firefighters that a reservoir at the Stevenson Wastewater Treatment Plant has collapsed and cannot be repaired.

This has caused a water shortage in areas of Jackson and Dekalb County and prevented firefighters in Ider, Valley Head and Henagar from using fire hydrants to fill their vehicles.

“When we use a hydrant, it impacts the water supply to homes and we try to work with everyone to prevent that from happening,” said Henagar firefighter Cody Davis.

Now the fire departments must work together and cooperate with the population to bring fire-fighting water to the scenes.

“We’re asking the community for help. If they have a pond or water source that’s accessible to our trucks, we’re asking them to come by, sign up and give us permission to be there,” Davis said.

Henagar firefighter Cody Davis said that while this will not result in longer response times, residents should expect slightly different response times as fire departments assist each other in obtaining water for firefighting.

“It affects our ability to supply water to the other trucks. We are on the road a lot and have to travel longer distances to get water,” Davis said.

Davis said the affected areas included all of Hulsey Road from the Tennessee River to the Georgia border. He said the Water Supply District and neighboring departments are working diligently to combat this shortage, but community help is most important right now.

“Just stop by one of the town halls and fill out the forms, we would be very happy about it,” said Davis.

Anyone who would like to help these firefighters can visit the following locations and sign a release that will give firefighters access to your ponds or other secondary water supplies:

• Henagar City Hall is located at 9255 Burton Drive, Henagar, AL 35978
• Ider City Hall, 10793 AL Highway 75, Ider, AL 35981
• Valley Head City Hall, 41 Anderson Street, Valley Head, AL 35989

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