Water woes persist in Pine, Arizona

PINE, AZ - For people living in Pine, north of Payson, the water district headquarters has become a very popular place.

Since Tuesday morning, it's been the only reliable source for water in town.

"There just isn't any running water," Mark West said as he filled up a five-gallon container with water.

Even residents with water are being urged not to drink, cook or bathe with it.

According to the Pine Strawberry Water Improvement District, several factors have led to about 1,000 homes running dry.

"Drought conditions on our wells, high demand due to high temperatures up here right now, as well as some mechanical issues we have had in the system are all contributors," said spokesman, Robert Kuta.

Without water, residents have been forced to fill up from a large truck, and take home gallon jugs, which are being provided for free by the water district.

"It is disconcerting. It effects a lot of people and makes life… troubling," Ellie Howard said as she loaded water into her SUV.

Wednesday afternoon, workers replaced some pumps which should get water running again, but the system still has to be checked over after running dry.

"We need to disinfect them, flush them, test them and then look at those results before we can say that the water is suitable for consumption," Kuta said.

Officials said the long term fix is to get some rain to revive the wells. They are asking people to conserve, and be patient.

"I've been up here a few years, so I've gotten accustomed to what the circumstances are from time to time," Richard Storm said.

For more information, check the Pine-Strawberry Water Improvement District website .