A lightning strike on Saturday night severely damaged the South Sheridan Water Treatment Facility, impacting approximately 4,000 residents in Southern Grant County, from Prattsville to near Redfield.
The strike also caused a transformer and a service line to blow, which have since been repaired by C&L Electric.
In response to the facility’s destruction, efforts are underway to connect with the City of Sheridan’s water supply as a temporary solution, though this has proven challenging and is not yet finalized. Meanwhile, the National Guard is deploying water buffaloes to provide temporary water access for affected residents, some of whom may already be experiencing shortages.
Mayor Cain Nattin is coordinating efforts with South Sheridan Water, Little Creek Water, and engineers to address the crisis.
James Harrod of South Sheridan Water reported that he discovered the facility’s destruction on Sunday morning, with about four feet of water inside the building, which likely extinguished any fire.
Demolition of the damaged building has begun to make way for a temporary treatment plant. Fortunately, the water tanks remain intact.
A boil order is in place for customers of the South Sheridan Water Department as a result of the fire.
