Wake County community members want answers after no water for three days

Families who live in a Wake County mobile home community are demanding answers.

That's because they've been without water for three days.

They've been using bottled water to wash clothes, fill toilets, and bathe.

WRAL News got in touch with the property manager and hours later repairs crews arrived.

Within last three hours, a team from the property management company showed up here at the Buffaloe Road Mobile Home community. One of the employees said the water outage on the freezing temperatures and higher-than-normal use. He said it took longer than expected to get repair crews out here because they're so backed up.

"It’s been hell," said one resident who wished to remain anonymous. "I mean, three days without water. Who can go three days without water?"

These residents don't want their names or faces revealed out of concern they could get evicted.

"We’re speaking out. We’re not keeping ourselves quiet any more."

About a dozen residents met with us in front of one of two well houses that provides water to the more than 60 homes here. The meter inside showed zero water pressure.

"No water, you can’t do nothing," said one person. "Can’t wash your clothes or dishes. Can’t take a shower. Three days we’ve got to go to the grocery store to buy water."

I called the property manager who tells me the well had water, but the pipes underground froze.

She pushed back against claims from residents that the company hasn't been responsive to their concerns.

One resident showed us two text messages from property management.

The first apologizes for the water outage and says "It must be your home line that is frozen."

The next message asked residents to open the faucets and cabinets "to help the lines defrost."

These residents tell me this isn't the first time they've dealt with water and septic system problems.

"We’re paying our part," said one person. "You got to do your part, too, as well. We’re hard working families out here. We’ve got kids. And you’re not doing nothing about it. That’s a big problem."

You can see water bottles stacked up on a porch of this home. The property management company brought those out as they made repairs.

Stackhouse Management of Durham manages the mobile home community. Their latest message to residents estimates the water should start running within the hour. They're urging residents to boil cooking and drinking water for two days.