WEIRTON — Weirton Council heard from a handful of residents concerning the city’s recent water woes Monday, with officials also taking time to express thanks to those who came to the community’s aid during the last several weeks.

Council met in regular session Monday, hearing from three residents who wished to discuss water issues.

Carol Wright said she appreciates the efforts of the Weirton Area Water Board and city employees to battle the crisis which left portions of the city without water or under extended boil orders, she is concerned about the future.

“We don’t seem to have a whole lot of remedy here,” she said, noting while her household had been fortunate, her daughter often had to look elsewhere for water.

Wright also raised the issue of the $5 million awarded by the West Virginia Water Development Authority – a state entity – to the College of St. Joseph, a Catholic vocational school located in Steubenville, asking if any input from residents had been sought prior to those funds being awarded in October.

Two other residents also offered comments, although not directly associated with the water crisis.

Madonna Smearman explained she had reported a leak near her property on Feb. 4, but it took until Monday for a crew to inspect it.

“Citizens are just as important as the main roads,” she said, expressing understanding of the situation as crews have had multiple areas of response.

“They deserve a raise,” she added, thanking the crews.

Council also heard from resident Rachel Duckworth, from the Skyview Drive area. Duckworth had attended the October council meeting over concerns of low pressure in her area, and asked for the city to not forget their issues while addressing others.

“We are six to eight houses and we just don’t want forgotten,” she said.

Speaking near the end of the meeting, Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni assured Duckworth the pressure concerns on Skyview Drive will be remembered and addressed.

While many of the major line breaks have been addressed, and no boil orders were in effect as of Monday night, officials reminded residents Weirton remains under a mandatory conservation order.

Mayor Dean Harris offered his appreciation to all of the city crews who have been involved in the response, but also to the residents for their patience.

“We know we’ve taken you to the end,” he said. “It wasn’t for a lack of effort.”

City Manager Mike Adams, meanwhile, expressed appreciation to Cleveland-Cliffs for linking its system to the city’s in an effort to get water levels back to normal, as well as representatives from the office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., along with state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, Del. Mark Zatezalo and Del. Pat McGeehan, both R-Hancock, the Hancock County Commission, local and state emergency management officials, and others, including the City of Bridgeport, W.Va. and its City Manager, Pat Ford, for providing sources of water and other support.

“It’s a big team effort,” Adams said.