After celebrating Lynnville’s 150th Anniversary just days prior, Lynnville city officials were surprised on Wednesday morning, June 25, with a water supply disruption causing the town of Lynnville to be without water. According to Lynnville Mayor Mark Newberg, several groups assisted in figuring out what caused the empty water tower, including personnel from Iowa Rural Water Association, JETCO, Jasper County Emergency Management, and several local businesses and individuals with prior city maintenance knowledge.
Initial findings indicated two pressure valves were shut off, which caused the water tower to not be refilled. First thoughts included possible tampering of the valves, which caused a media frenzy with central Iowa television and radio stations. While an investigation is still ongoing with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, many locals do not feel any foul play was involved. Water supply continued to be affected for 48 hours, but officials report, as of Friday, the water tower is back full again. There was no boil order, as there was no water line break.
Bottled water was distributed two different times by Jasper County Emergency Management and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Kellogg, Sully, and Searsboro Fire Departments were placed on emergency standby for any structural fires in the city during the time of water shortage.
City officials are continuing to work on preventing access to unauthorized personnel of the water tower equipment. Citizen notification avenues will be discussed at a future city council meeting. If citizens have any further information about the water disruption, they are encouraged to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
