'Absolutely ridiculous’: Neighbors furious with company who cut off water during pandemic

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Water is critical to help keep the COVID-19 coronavirus from spreading, which is why a Gaston County community was so angry about their water being cut off multiple times.

Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon was there Wednesday as tensions boiled over, and the contractor apologized.

Neighbors in the Cedar Grove community -- who are all on well water provided by Aqua Water -- had contacted Lemon, outraged because crews are working on water lines while health officials continue to advocate everyone frequently washes their hands.

[SPECIAL SECTION: TRACKING CORONAVIRUS]

Residents told Channel 9 the work was supposed to start early last year and finish by Thanksgiving. Instead, work began in late December.

Aqua Water said it planned to have a contractor replace aging water lines and cut off service only during the day on weekdays, when people were at work and children were in school. The company said several delays led to work continuing even after the coronavirus became a pandemic and people were ordered to stay home and wash their hands.

Several neighbors told Channel 9 they complained to Aqua Water.

“I told them how I felt," said neighbor, Natasha Cordell. "They should really suspend the water work while this is going on.”

Cordell said she emailed the company the day after they posted a COVID-19 advisory for customers to see. It plainly promised “no service disruptions and no impact to water.”

Cordell said they never replied.

"Shame on you,” she said.

>> Here are the latest updates about COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in North Carolina and South Carolina. Scroll below for real-time updates.

“Give us a break," said another resident Elizabeth McDaniel. "I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. I even pleaded to the guy with tears in my eyes, ‘You know about this project and you knew it was coming.'”

After Channel 9 called, Aqua Water decided to halt work until after the pandemic is over, and said they tried to continue work while minimizing the impact to people.

The contracted team hired by Aqua Water refused to stop and talk to Channel 9 at first, but then came back and said the work was done.

“We are doing what we are told," said Tim Landers with DP Construction. "We got bills to pay like everybody else.”

Neighbors said they weren’t angry with him. They are frustrated with the water company,

“The bigger issue is Aqua and how they are running this whole thing,” said neighbor Dana Siepert.

Channel 9 was there as Landers apologized to neighbors, who told Channel 9 this is far from over for them.

Social worker explains the challenges first responders face amid COVID-19 outbreak Social worker explains the challenges first responders face amid COVID-19 outbreak

© 2020 Cox Media Group