Release Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009

Contact: Doug Rogness, Communications Director
Phone: 218.299.5407
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GOOD NEWS: North Moorhead and Oakport Water Service Operating

The water service to extreme North Moorhead and Oakport Township is running. Moorhead residents north of 28th Avenue North and west of Highway 75 have full water service and the water IS safe to drink. However, MPS is asking residents to conserve water to the best of their ability to ease the pressure on a very full sanitation system in the Oakport area.

Last evening (March 27, 2009), Moorhead Public Service (MPS) turned off the main water valve that supplies water to customers north of 28th Avenue North, including Oakport Township. Once this valve was closed, MPS staff monitored the water levels and pressures in the Oakport water tower. As MPS watched the various readings from the tower, MPS noticed there was not as much was loss as was expected. Because the water pressure in this system never fell below established thresholds, MPS reassessed the situation in this area and made the decision to resume feeding the system.

"Having the water tower in Oakport Township provided us the opportunity to continue this water service," said MPS Water Division Manager Cliff McLain. "Without that tower, the system would not have maintained the necessary pressure and we would not be offering water service to this area right now."

As the flood fight continues, MPS will continue to monitor this area of our community and may need to shut-down service if situations change; however, for now, the residents are able to use the water.

MPS is a community-owned utility serving the residents of Moorhead, Minnesota, with electricity, water, and broadband Internet access.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Communications Director Doug Rogness at 218-299-5407 or e-mail Doug at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .