Brookhaven officials today reported good progress in fullyrestoring water system services and pledged to maintain lawenforcement visibility to deter possible criminal activity.

“It’s kind of touch and go,” Water Department SuperintendentLanny Dickey said of water restoration activities.

During a called city board meeting Wednesday, Dickey said fourof eight city water wells are on line and the department is makinggains. By this morning, all but one were back in operation,officials said.

On Tuesday, only two of the wells were working.

The superintendent and other officials dismissed persistentrumors Tuesday that water would be shut down. He and Mayor BobMassengill said there were never any plans to do that.

Dickey said city water pressure did not get below 40 pounds. Ifit falls below 20 pounds, then boil water notices arenecessary.

“I think we’re in pretty good shape,” Dickey said.

While crediting department employees for keeping the systemoperational, Dickey warned aldermen to be prepared for equipmentrequests in the new budget. He said he would discuss thoselater.

“It’s going to have to happen,” Dickey said.

With power still out in many areas of town, about half of thecity’s 13 lift stations are operable. The lift stations are neededin some areas to get sewage to the treatment plant.

City officials urged residents to continue to minimize use ofthe toilet.

Regarding the power, Massengill said Entergy crews are doing allthey can to restore electricity.

“Many neighborhoods aren’t going to have power until theweekend,” Massengill said.

Chief Pap Henderson reported a strong police presence followingthe storm.

“We’re having problems but we’re dealing with the problems,” thechief said.

The chief said a bigger problem for his department is gasolinefor patrol cars. All patrol cars have been running 24 hours a daysince Sunday.

“I’m having to gas up more than I’ve ever had to gas up,”Henderson said.

The chief indicated that difficulties were at gas stations andpeople trying to break in line. Henderson said there were five orsix disturbances and a couple of fights Tuesday night as powerbegan to come back on and a few gas stations reopened.

Preventing crime has been another focus. Henderson said therewere two burglaries, both at pawn shops, since the storm.

“We have to maintain visibility to keep burglaries down,”Henderson said.

Henderson urged people to continue to be cautious as power isrestored and more citizens get out to travel. He complimentedmotorists on their attentiveness following the storm.

“As long as the lights were down and power out, we didn’t haveone accident,” Henderson said. “It’s unreal.”

In another area, Massengill said street clearing has come alongwell. It will take time to get fallen limbs and other debrisremoved.

“We’ve never had a disaster like this,” Massengill said. “It’sgoing to take weeks to get it all picked up.”

Public Works Director Steve Moreton asked for citizens’ help inseparating debris. He said trees, lumber and other wood items in bein a trash pile.

“Everything else needs to be in a separate pile,” addedMassengill, mentioning shingles and similar items.

During Wednesday’s meeting, the mayor praised department headsand workers for efforts following the storm.

“They have done a tremendous job of getting done what we’vegotten done,” Massengill said. “They’ve done an outstandingjob.”