This is the entrance to the district water tank where the well failed in Jay. (Enterprise photo — Andy Flynn)

JAY — After $52,000 worth of well repairs, a boil-water order for Jay and Upper Jay was lifted May 24.

It has been about a month since the O-rings on Well 3 in Jay failed causing sediment to contaminate the drinking water in the town of Jay, forcing 348 households in the hamlets of Jay and Upper Jay to boil their drinking water, but now the boil-water order is no more.

Well 3 is now completely repaired and running. The town lucked out for its timing as they already had the well-cleaners scheduled for their five-year inspection so they did not have to wait for a newly scheduled time. The regularly scheduled cleaning cost $8,000 of the total expenses. Alongside with that luck, COVID-19 did not slow down the process of repairing. Town of Jay Supervisor Arthur “Archie” Depo said that “COVID did not really slow things down. The drillers came pretty quick.”

Once the bottom of the well and O-rings were replaced, the sump-pump, motor and control board were also replaced by the town due to the damage. After these repairs, the town had to wait a few more days before lifting the order to let the water pressure build up to flush the lines and get a clear sample. The town committed $44,000 to the repairs.

Throughout this boil-water order, residents of Jay and Upper Jay were able to access water from a State Office of Emergency Management tanker which held 5,000 gallons of water. More than 1,500 cases of water were donated to local households.

This is the first time the town has seen a well fail and had a boil-water order on this long. The town of Jay posted an update thanking residents for their patience in this extended order.