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Business is back to normal in Cherokee with end of water crisis
By Lynn Hotaling
A water advisory in place in Cherokee since last week was lifted Monday.
As of Sept. 25, only the area from Saunooke Village to the Soggy Hill area of Big Cove remained under a “do not drink and boil water” warning, according to Eastern Band publicist Lynne Harlan. All others on Cherokee’s water system were given the go-ahead to use water normally. The advisory for Saunooke Village/Soggy Hill was expected to be terminated Wednesday, Harlan said.
Water distribution continued Monday and Tuesday at the Church of the Nazarene for those for those still unable to use their water, Harlan said.
Restaurants and hotels reopened Monday under the supervision of the state health department.
The Eastern Band’s water supply was shut down after a Sept. 20 gasoline spill. Tribal offices and Cherokee schools were closed Thursday, Friday and Monday (Sept. 21, 22 and 25).
The advisory was initally lifted Saturday but was re-issued Sunday (Sept. 24) after continuing rain and rising water levels threatened the spill containment wall that was created in response to last week’s gasoline spill.
Tribal leaders’ action was aimed at avoiding possible re-contamination to the water system.
Though hotels and restaurants were forced to close their doors in the wake of the water crisis, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino remained open the entire time.
Cherokee residents can call (828) 554-6181 or 554-6180 for more information.
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