‘It’s ridiculous’: Some Wilton water customers without water for nearly a week

SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Some people living on the border of Shelby and Bibb Counties have been without running water for almost a week.

WBRC has received several complaints from viewers, including Brierfield resident and Wilton water customer Amanda Bice.

“We’ve been without water for six days,” Bice said beside her kitchen sink. “I can’t wash any dishes. We’re still without water.”

Bice lives along Boothe Lane and knows the perks and the problems of living in rural Alabama, but lately she said it has been frustrating.

“It’s ridiculous because we do live in America and water and electricity should be a basic need,” she added.

Bice has been hauling jugs of water from her aunt’s house in Jemison to drink and flush the toilet.

She knows her community is filled with blue-collar workers and understands others are not always as fortunate.

“I know there’s people around me that has children that has to have a bath to go to school, to have a bath to go to work,” she said. “What are they doing if they don’t have family nearby?”

The “Town Wilton” Facebook page has been filled with frustration and people unsure what is going on.

The utility clerk confirms to WBRC this started last Thursday, Oct. 23, when a contractor installing fiberoptic cable hit a water line.

She said the town fixed it and two hours later it happened again around West Ashby Road.

The utility clerk went on to assure WBRC their employees have been working to fix the problem and they have brought in backup with Alabama Rural Water.

On Wednesday, the town posted the issue would be resolved by noon.

“It is now 12:36 and we still have no water,” Bice said.

To be clear, Bice added she does not blame the city employees actively working to fix the problem, though she does wish the communication was better.

She wants someone to make the situation right.

“If not Wilton water, then the company who destroyed this line should be handing out bottles of water, jugs of water,” Bice shared.

The town tells WBRC it has also been working with 811 for help.

The “Town Wilton” Facebook page has since posted an update, stating the water is “expected” to be restored Thursday.

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