CLARITA, Okla. (KTEN) -- Portions of Coal County are among the last in Texoma without water after last week's winter storms.

Clarita and other small towns get their water supply from Coalgate, and it's been a waiting game until faucets will run again. 

On Thursday morning, Clarita's volunteer fire department set up a water purification system to help the community cope with the crisis.

Fire Chief Frank Williams has been going door-to-door delivering bottled water and supplying non-potable water during a time of confusion and hardship.

“I’ve got a lot of elderly people in this area that can’t carry a case of water... can’t carry a 5-gallon bucket of water to flush their toilets," Chief Williams said.

He is working to bring every last drop of water to area businesses as well, such as greenhouses, dairies and dog kennels.

In Clarita, with a population of less than 200, his work is making an impact.

“Frank, he’s done everything," said Clarita resident Richard Meadors. "They’re hauling bulk water, checking on people... of course, it goes on every day. No matter if you have a water shortage or not.”

Williams is helping in every way he can to pick up the pieces from a crisis no one saw coming.

“You wouldn’t think we’d be living through this situation," he said. "We’ve lived without electricity, but living without water is pretty difficult at times.”

“It’s getting better by the day, by the hour really and if we didn’t have what we have here we’d be in big trouble,” Meadors added.

Clarita residents are grateful to the fire department for providing drinking water.
Clarita residents are grateful to the fire department for providing drinking water. (KTEN)