Huntsville volunteers deliver water to elderly during 9-day boil order

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Volunteers in Huntsville deliver water to elderly residents amid a nine-day boil order.
Cathy and Carol Stoker assist neighbors, ensuring access to safe drinking water.
Efforts continue to resolve the issue, with water treatment expected before Christmas.

HUNTSVILLE, Weber County — Sometimes the toughest times can reveal a community's true character. That's proven true in Huntsville, where residents were on day nine without drinking water on Thursday.

Marianne Peterson is 85 and has lived in Huntsville for 30 years.

"It's never happened before with the water that I can remember," Peterson said.

On Dec. 10, neighbors knocked on her door, letting her know there was a boil order for the community. Along with the news, these neighbors brought Peterson water to drink.

"I don't know what I would do without them," Peterson said.

Cathy and Carol Stoker were Peterson's helpers, and hers was not the only house where they stopped. Carol Stoker works as the town's water meter reader, so she knew exactly who needed water.

"Some of these people have become my friends through the water business," Carol Stoker said. "If they can't get out and do it, I have picked up cases of water and taken them to them."

This is something the Stokers are willing to continue doing until the boil order is lifted, which might not be until Christmas.

Thom Summers, the water operator for Huntsville, has his crew working 12 to 15 hours each day trying to get the treatment plant working again.

"Hopefully before Christmas," Summers said.

Marianne Peterson, second from left, outside her home with Cathy and Carol Stoker, who came to deliver Peterson fresh water. (Photo: Greg Anderson, KSL-TV)

On Thursday, the crew pushed chlorine through 15 to 18 miles of pipe, cleaning out contamination following the leak. That's the first round of testing, followed by a second one during which Summers said they'll send the water samples to the labs for final approval.

"After it's run through the system, (we've) got to dilute it down," Summers said. "That way, it will be safe to drink."

Until then, the boil order remains in effect.

Associated Food Stores donated a semitruck of bottled water, which is available along with other temporary water at the town center.

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