The Shinnston Water Treatment Plant was built in 1978 and since then there have been some updates made, but no major replacements of the underdrains.
Shinnston Assistant City Manager Travis Blosser said because of that, the city has been recently experiencing problems.
"We've been experiencing for a while now, the filter underdrains in our plant haven't been replaced since 1978. The plant should have a capacity of producing about 2.4 million gallons a day if it needed to, our demand is about 1.2 million, but we are not able to fully meet that 2.4 million with the condition the facility is in,†explained Blosser.
So the city is currently working to replace those filter underdrains.
"The new product we are getting is going to help increase the efficiency of the plant,†Blosser said.
Until those are replaced, a neighboring city is lending a helping hand.
"We've connected a temporary line with the city of Fairmont. That line is feeding clean water from the city of Fairmont from their system directly into our clear wells. From there the water is pumped through high service pumps up to our twin tanks on the hill,†Blosser explained.
Blosser said it's a temporary fix while the underdrains are being replaced one at a time.
Mayor Sam DeMarco said the citizens of Shinnston have been very supportive during this time, and when they were asked to conserve water, they did.
"We're asking them to help us during this time of need to conserve water. Our numbers are showing that they have, we haven't seen an increase and we've actually seen a decrease in what's happening,†explained DeMarco.
Blosser said the first filter should be replaced by August 28.
Residents are invited to attend a public hearing for more information on the work being done, it will be held Monday, August 25, at 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School.