Mobile home park going on almost a month without running water

SEMINOLE, Okla. (KFOR) — Imagine not having any running water at your home for almost a month. It's the reality right now for dozens of Oklahomans living near Seminole.

"It's not just a problem, it's a disaster," said Ray Adams, who owns, manages, and lives at the Hidden Hills Mobile Home Park.

Adams said the problem has been going on since late May. He says they were able to find the main water break under Wewoka Creek.

"The city maintains the property, it's a state easement," said Adams.

"I can't dig it out. Because the creek fills it in," said Adams. "It turns into real hard clay and it won't surface."

Now, Adams is supplying his 70-plus residents with bottled water.

Mario Rubio, 9, who's in a wheelchair said he misses taking showers in his home and swimming in his pool.

"It was fun and a way to cool off and do some exercise," said Rubio.

The Seminole Nation has donated potable water for residents.

"Hauling water, just for the toilets," said Kathy Howerton, who lives in the trailer park. "It's just the little things. You don't realize you miss it."

Residents, like Allergra Myers, haul gallons of water to their homes each day.

"It's heavy," said Myers. "I try to do it once a day."

The City of Seminole said because the break is past the meter, it's on Adam's to fix it. The line is about a mile long.

"Everywhere from there to the flashing lights is considered my responsibility. I get it, but this is beyond a responsibility," said Adams.

Meanwhile, Adams said the park isn't recognized by the city or the county.

"We're on an island," said Adams.

"I cannot use city equipment, city personnel to work on a private line," said Brian Baker, with the City of Seminole.

"These 76 people don't have water. There's no way to help?" asked News 4.

"That comes back to the owner of the business. It is the business owner's responsibility," said Baker.

"Where's the help? Where's the humanity? You know, people coming together," said Myers.

Thankfully, Bowlegs-Lima water district is helping. The mobile home park technically falls under their jurisdiction now.

"When they originally did everything, we didn't come this far," said Larry Shay.

Their goal is to get the water flowing by Friday.

"I think [the city] could've helped a little bit. They got a high bill, they got to pay them still. They've got a bunch of people without water," said Larry Shay, with Bowlegs-Lima Water District. "It's like, 'You're not in our city limits, we don't care.'"

The water district said they plan to get permits to build a permanent line.

Adams has already paid about $27,000 on repairs, it may take thousands more to fix the creek.