"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Provided Water to Jay Residents

Cherokee Nation employees remove several pallets of drinking water, which the tribe provided to the city of Jay after a breakdown occurred in the city water system. The water was given to city organizations, including Jay schools, which were open but had no drinking water available.

JAY, OK — When the city of Jay faced a crisis with a breakdown in their water system this week, the Cherokee Nation was ready to step in to help.

In an effort to assist with the water shortage facing the city, the tribe provided nearly 2,000 gallons of drinking water to assist the city until the water supply could be replenished.

The Oklahoma Emergency Management department requested the water for the city of Jay after the city’s water pump failed Monday night, causing the water holding tanks to run close to empty. While the majority of the city’s residents have homes on private wells, drinking water was limited to the city for municipal organizations such as schools, health centers and the elder services facility.

“The Cherokee Nation, through our Emergency Management department, works closely with other federal, state and area emergency management programs,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “We are happy to assist our citizens and other residents of Jay in their time of need.”

The Cherokee Nation Food Distribution facility at Jay was activated as a staging area for the Cherokee Nation Emergency Management program to issue water to tribal and city offices until the city’s water pump was repaired, including providing water to the students at Jay schools. The school was re-opened after the pump was operational, but proper permits had not yet been obtained from the health department to ensure the drinking water was safe.

“I want to thank the Cherokee Nation for stepping forward and providing enough water for our kids to drink, and for all the efforts they do for our community,” said Wayne Dunham, mayor of Jay.