Riverton declares emergency as Village runs dry after well collapse

RIVERTON, Neb. - A Nebraska village of around 60 people is facing an urgent crisis- no running water.

Residents of Riverton recently met with local officials in hopes of finding answers.

The taps in Riverton have been dry since Labor Day, and the village is operating with nearly an empty water tower.

The town's only functioning well recently collapsed, which led the village into the predicament they're currently in.

"The water tower has only three rings of water, which usually holds nine. So we are limited on dishwashing and the city has furnished us with cases of water. We have to get permission from the state to re-drill one of the old wells that's got tree roots," said Riverton resident Kaye Foster.

Franklin County's Emergency Manager Bryon Detlefsen was the first one called when the well failed on September 1st.

Since then, officials have been working to supply water bottles, meal, and even emergency water deliveries for livestock and sanitation.

"One of the things we're looking at trying is getting a 5,000 gallon tanker to haul water in and possibly fill their water tower so the residents can use the water system. That's kind of in the planning stages right now," said Detlefsen.

"At this point we've talked about getting some trucks to haul in water for flushing toilets, taking baths, feeding livestock and so forth just to get them by. Bottled water is kind of the biggest thing we're doing right now," added Detlefsen.

Franklin County authorities recently submitted a disaster declaration, which is the first step toward securing state aid from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA.

Riverton leaders are looking to get a new, functioning well put in, but officials say the financial burden is steep for a town this small.

In the meantime, help is coming from both inside and outside the community.

Hot Meals USA from Kearney has stepped in to serve meals each night since the town lost water.

Residents say that despite the hardship, Riverton's tight knit community will show their resilience in the face of adversity.

Until a permanent fix is in place, bottled water, emergency deliveries, and community meals will have to sustain the village.

Many residents hope this crisis won't just bring temporary relief, but lasting change.