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No Water For Over A Month!

By Diana Lucio Reporter

An elderly and disabled couple says they've been living without running water for five weeks and they say a utility company is to blame. No Water For Over A Month!

Published: Wed, July 09, 2008 - 5:34 pm Last Updated: Thu, July 10, 2008 - 1:36 pm

Diana Lucio

78-year-old Nathan Graham says not a single drop of water has come through their house in almost five weeks.
"We have to haul it in jugs and buckets and whatever we can get it in and we have to go somewhere where we can get it," Said Graham.
Graham's daughter Deborah says after their well dried up, they paid South Alabama Utilities $630.00 thinking the company would run pipes to their home and install a water meter."When we first found out we couldn't get the well we couldn't get no water we went straight to them paid the money and they was supposed to come out run the pipe set the meter," Said Deborah Black.
The Graham's say they put a stake at the end of their property hoping they could place their water meter there, but South Alabama Utilities says the closest is almost two-tenths of a mile away from their property. In order to get water flowing, South Alabama Utilities says the Graham's will have to run pipes themselves, something the Graham's say they can't afford or physicaly do on their own. "I just have to get somebody that is nice enough to help me and I can't even do that,"Said Graham. South Alabama Utilities says they are willing to give the Grahams a full refund. But the Graham's say at this point they just want water and fast. The Semmes family is also looking into reinstalling a well. Graham says it will cost them around $1,200.00, but at this rate he says it may be the less expensive way to go.

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carl Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 8:23 am

I think every one feels compassion for these people except maybe the water company, and no doubt they need help but I would like to hear the complete story and not just a small piece of it before coming to a conclusion. Every ones a little gun shy after Katrina and people living in motels and hotels and getting fed at every ones expense.

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cmb1 Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 7:59 am

All i have to say is that all of you lost sight of the real story and that is sad… The utility Co new and they took advantage of these people now they need to step up and do more than give them there money back. I hope someone will help them!

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igotbanned83 Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 7:46 am

DEW26, that is precisely the problem. The majority of the population DOES believe it to be a word. Hence why I say the “MAJORITY of the American Public are ignorant”.

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carl Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 5:32 am

The story seems a little vague on where their property lines are. I don’t believe the water company can go on private property to lay lines. They usually run lines up to the property lines and install a meter there, and from there on it’s the responsibility of the owner. But either way these people need help if their kids aren’t going to help them. If their property line is two tenths of a mile a way(1056 feet) it could get expensive IF that is the case, and if so maybe they should consider selling a parcel of land to finance the installation of the lines.

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DEW26M Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 4:21 am

Just thought I would add this also. I could not help but to notice that when one types out the word IRREGARDLESS, that it is not underlined(spell checked)in the text box. Therefore telling me that the majority of the population must think of it as correct grammar.

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DEW26M Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 3:57 am

Oh by the way, I hate to correct those who correct others. NOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

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DEW26M Says:

Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 3:54 am

I wish I was nearby, I would help this couple lay some pipe to get some water. Maybe they should check into a church group helping them out or something.It’s a sad story, this man is 78 years old, and I’m sure has done lots for the community, someone should help these people out.

igotbanned83 I think your sentence should read “Its the very reason we have become MORE DUMB as a nation every year since 1975” rather than to use the word DUMBER. Not saying that “dumber” is not a word, but I do not think it can be properly placed in that sentence.

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sjcmom365 Says:

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 at 9:51 pm

My common sense was used. When I see someone writing “the american public” to me that includes everyone. Like I said, if you arent commenting on the story, dont write anything.

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igotbanned83 Says:

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 at 9:37 pm

To the previous poster: You dont know me on this site. I have advocated for your position many times. Hence the reason I prefaced my statement. Read my post before commenting, and use common sense to see that I may not have meant 100% of this country when referring to the ignorance.

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sjcmom365 Says:

Wed, Jul 09, 2008 at 7:55 pm

I hate when people get on any board and try to make other people seem stupid. I mean its like some people get on these boards and go look at all of them, trying to find misspelled words. If you dont have anything to contribute that pertains to the story, dont write anything. BTW, I am an American, but I am far from ignorant, thank you!

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