FAIRMOUNT, N.D. - Damage to the water tower in the far southeastern North Dakota town of Fairmount after storms moved through the area Tuesday have left the town without drinking water.
Red Cross spokesman Brian Shawn said Richland County Emergency Manager Brett Lambrecht called for help for the town's approximately 350 residents at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The small community south of Wahpeton was left without drinkable water when storms moving through the area damaged the town's water tower and its drinking water supply, Shawn said.
The Red Cross dispatched about 200 cases of drinking water to the town's fire hall for residents.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fairmount struggled with a similar situation over the winter, when its water tower froze, Shawn said.
Repairs are underway, but there's no word yet on when the drinking water supply will be restored.
In the meantime, the city has instituted a boil order, telling residents that any water to be used for drinking must first be boiled for at least one minute to kill any bacteria or other organisms that might be in the water.
Residents who have questions about water safety can contact the North Dakota Department of Health at (701) 328-5211.
