Water was being restored Monday morning to some downtown Steubenville residents and businesses as water department officials continued to watch for leaks.
A department spokesman said that if the high-pressue system holds, they will then start charging the downtown low-pressure system.
City Utility Director Chuck Murphy was hoping for the best, but also preparing for the worst-case scenario if more leaks in the downtown water system are discovered.
We want to get as much water as possible to the population downtown.
We want the system up and running.
“But there is the potential we may have to replace additional valves.
Murphy ordered the downtown water system shut down and placed the entire city on a mandatory conservation order after several large water leaks were suspected.
“We now have the University Boulevard corridor stabilized, and we want to maintain that,” he added.
Bottled water was still being distributed by city firefighters to residents who are disabled or unable to travel to the two water buffalo sites.
Eligible residents have been told to call the water filtration plant at 740-283-6041 to request the bottled water.