Full Notification

WATER EMERGENCY UPDATE – MORNING BRIEFING (02/26/2025) 

We want to start by thanking everyone who attended the Town Hall Meeting last night. It was great to be able to share information, answer questions, and keep our community informed about this ongoing water emergency. Your engagement, patience, and support are invaluable during this challenging time. 

New Developments & Setbacks 

Shortly after the Town Hall, we experienced a potentially catastrophic setback—the pump motor in the In-Town Water Basin burned up. This failure severely impacted our ability to pump water to the water tower. 

However, we have good news: 

• Tonkawa Water Crews successfully replaced the motor using spare parts on hand. 

• We were already in the process of securing backup equipment, so we are better prepared for any additional issues. 

• Both our In-Town Water Basin and Out-of-Town Water Basin were already full, ensuring we have stored water to work with. 

• We are currently diagnosing valve issues at the Water Tower and feel confident that these problems will not delay our Saturday restoration timeline. 

• Citizens may see water in their systems.  We are working through our objectives, hour by hour.  To dispel rumors, the water is not back on. The boil order is still in effect.    

To further strengthen our response efforts, we have enlisted the help of: 

• Water specialists from Blackwell, Ponca City, and Newkirk. 

• Statewide municipal water emergency experts. 

• Local specialists who are highly familiar with our water system and wells. 

This additional expertise is a huge advantage in resolving ongoing issues as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Expanded Resources for the Community 

We have deployed two (2) new Portable Toilet stations with additional Water Buffalo Trailers at the following locations: 

• Blinn Park – 701 N. Main Street 

• Ray See Park – 500 Block of S. Main Street 

Other Water Buffalo Trailers remain in place at: 

• Train Depot on E. Grand 

• Parking lot across from the City Offices on S. 7th Street 

A non-potable water truck (for non-drinkable use) is staged at: 

• Tonkawa Shipping at the Co-Op on E. Grand Ave. 

We have coordinated water resources and safety measures for our Nursing Home.  We have these plans in place.  
 
Bottled Water Distribution Stations 

We have received more pallets of bottled water that have been provided or donated to our community.  

Bottled water is available at: 

• Tonkawa Venture Foods – 1315 N. Main Street 

• Tonkawa Street Department – 207 S. Main Street 

• Tonkawa Fire Department Station #2 – 201 S. Main Street 

Limit: Two (2) cases per family, per day. 

Bottled Water Home Delivery 

For residents who cannot access a bottled water station, we continue to offer home delivery. 

• Call the Tonkawa City Offices at (580) 628-2508 or the Tonkawa Police Department at (580) 628-2516. 

• Follow the automated prompts and leave a message with your name, phone number, and delivery address. 

• Two (2) cases per family, per day. 

Stay Vigilant & Report Leaks 

If you see a water leak, report it immediately. 

• Call Tonkawa City Offices at (580) 628-2508 or Tonkawa Police Department at (580) 628-2516. 

• Our crews will dispatch to investigate and repair leaks as quickly as possible. 

Stay Updated 

We will continue to post updates throughout the day. Please monitor: 

• City of Tonkawa Facebook Page 

• Tonkawa Emergency Management Facebook Page 

• Tonkawa Nixle Alerts (Text TONKAWA to 888777) 

• City of Tonkawa Website (tonkawaok.gov) 

We understand the challenges our community is facing, and we are grateful for your patience, cooperation, and resilience. Our team is working tirelessly to resolve these issues, and with the additional support from experts across the state, we remain on track for restoration by Saturday. 

Thank you, Tonkawa, for standing strong and supporting one another. We will get through this together. 

#TonkawaTogether #WaterEmergency #CommunityStrong 

Instructions:

Update on the Tonkawa Water Emergency: Morning Briefing (02/26/2025)