KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A broken water main that forced the closure of a Kansas City homeless shelter is repaired, but officials say that it will be at least another day before the shelter will be able to reopen.
Officials with the Kansas City Rescue Mission say that the water main – which broke on Thursday and left over 100 men unable to shower, cook or do anything requiring water – was repaired on Friday afternoon. But the water is still not safe to drink.
“The largest setback from the loss of water is the inability to adequately shelter and feed the gentlemen that are out here on the street,” said Mission resident Michael Phillips.
The shelter brought in portable toilets to make the temporary inconvenience a bit more comfortable for the shelter residents, and the Kansas City Missouri Water Department and good Samaritans donated 120 cases of bottled watter.
But because the water is not yet safe to drink, the City Union Mission is helping out the KC Rescue Mission with extra beds and mattresses for the men in need.
Officials say that the Rescue Mission should be able to reopen on Saturday.
