TRAVERSE CITY — Problems flowed into Benzie County’s jail after water gushed from Beulah’s drinking water supply network.
Sheriff Ted Schendel said the leak forced jail staff to make some quick adjustments.
Muddy running water returned to the jail, which along with all other Beulah homes and businesses remains in a boil water advisory that could last through Friday, said Brian Moore, village department of public works superintendent.
He blamed the spill on an aging pipe located beneath Spring Valley Street between Highland Drive and Crystal Avenue.
A small crack split the water main, spilling about 250,000 gallons of water and dropping water pressure throughout the village.
Moore discovered the leak, heard the jail did not have water at about 6 p.m. and quickly put the boil-water advisory into effect.
He said in his 16 years with the village he has seen the water main along Spring Valley Street break eight times.
Schendel said he was relieved water returned at all.
The advisory will continue until three consecutive clean water samples are collected, Moore said.
Crews traveled around Beulah in search of those samples Tuesday afternoon.