MOUNDS -- (WSIL)
A Southern Illinois city's water supply is hanging in the balance, with residents caught in the middle.
"Everybody is sick of what is going on in Mounds because of the poor management, and how bad the town looks. Nothing's been done to pep it up get it cleaned, any of that, nothing. It's pretty sad" said Mounds resident, Diann Riley.
Sentiments like these have grown amongst Mounds residents since word of the town's outlandish water bill surfaced.
"I think anybody that maybe get the job, to try to fix this situation with the water. They can't do it because they don't have enough funds" said Mounds Resident, Raymond Welch.
Not everyone is certain that there is one singular person to blame.
"So I wouldn't envy anyone who has the job of mayor to say how I'm going to fix this, unless we get some kind of state or federal aid," said Welch
Mayor Rita Flummer declined an interview, but in a statement to News 3, says provider, Southwater, sued the City for breaching its contractual obligations by failing to pay for its water supply in full.
"Well we paid the city. I don't know where the money went. Maybe the bill was higher than what we were getting, or I don't know what happened to the money," said Welch.
In court documents obtained by News 3, it's clear that the city has been making regular payments to the company over the past several months, but often not enough to offset new charges, or pay down the outstanding balance; which at last report, sits just over $100,000.
In her statement, Flummer says Southwater raised the possibility of disconnecting the City's water supply if a settlement is not reached.
"But I know there needs to be some kind of answer because if they don't this will just be a ghost town," said Welch.
"Everything in the area would be shut down, I mean that would be everybody's livelihood, the schools, the churches, the businesses, everything," said Riley.
While it's not clear what led to the outstanding balance, Mayor Flummer says the city is doing everything it can to prevent disconnection of the town's water supply.
"A lot of people got a lot of investments in their property and stuff. And their investments in their property, well what they going to do about that? I guess I'm just going to have to sink a pump. That's the only alternative I got, so whatever happens, I'm going to make it work.," said Welch.
In court filings, the city agreed to pay enough money to keep monthly bills current until a solution can be worked out. Right now, the Pulaski County Circuit Court judge has ordered the water to flow until at least March 10th.
