Water being given away Friday afternoon at 2 locations

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - On Thursday, 700 cases of bottled water were handed out with one case going to each vehicle.

For several days now, Lake Area residents have been without running water. For some people with only a trickle, the water is deemed unsafe for consumption due to the mass boil water advisory. City leaders are working to restore water back to its’ normal pressure.

“Soon is not soon enough,” says resident Henrietta Williams. “I mean, when you have little ones and you have medical needs, you need your water.”

That’s why the administration worked with a local nonprofit to provide residents with some relief.

“I received a phone call from the mayor about 9 a.m. saying ‘hey, do you have water,’” says United Way President and CEO, Denise Durel. “I said ‘no, we don’t but I’d be more than happy to find some.’ [I] made some contact with our friends at Second Harvest and they had a load in Lafayette. So, within about 30 minutes, we got the whole thing coordinated.”

In a little over an hour, 700 cases of bottled water were handed off to people who are suffering.

“No water, cold, without power for a little while, but mostly no water,” says resident Sheila Morris. “I wish there was a way we could pick up water for the elderly and bring it to them.”

“I feel blessed,” says resident Kenneth Marchand. “I just wish they had enough for everyone. I’ve been to 3 stores today looking for water, and no one has any.”

“Shelves are empty,” says Williams. “So if you find some and you don’t get it right then, you just out of luck.”

Many residents planning to utilize the precious commodity in this time of need.

“Cherish it,” says Williams.

“We’re gonna conserve it,” says Marchand. “Of course, we are going to drink it. I’m hoping the supply is a little more plentiful coming up real soon.”

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