Drinking water is being restored in Boyd County after a disastrous flood washed out a water main in March.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that workers began installing a new pipe beneath the Niobrara River on Tuesday.
Boyd County Rural Water District officials say water could be provided to Spencer, Lynch, Anoka and nearby farms in about two weeks. Potable water will not be available until testing and sanitation work is complete. The district has provided no timeline.
The water district has refurbished three irrigation wells to provide water temporarily for showering, washing and toilets, and it has been distributing free bottled water.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75% of the costs to restore water to the area which Rex Black, the water district chairman says will cost about 2 million dollars.