FERRIDAY — Ferriday could be off its boil water notice by Wednesday, if water test results come back clean.

Currently, Ferriday is still using the old water tank for its water supply, but Mayor Glen McGlothin hopes to switch over to the new tank as soon as the chlorine tests, which were sent off Wednesday, come back from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

Workers installed pipes into the ground for the new water tank Thursday.

“It has been a hard job, especially having to work around an old tank,” McGlothin said. “I’m pleased with what has been going on.

“Everybody had water and I’ve received no complaints.”

Saturday, workers will actually hook the tank up to a valve.

McGlothin urged residents to conserve water Saturday because they are going to cut the water off to fill the tanks.

“I’m taking every precaution,” McGlothin said. “I want people to conserve water that day because you never know — you could start tying in and something could happen.”

After the tie in Saturday, McGlothin said they would turn the old tank off, and turn the new valve to have Ferriday’s water coming from its new water tank.

“(They) are testing for chlorination, bacteria and everything,” McGlothin said. “They will test the pressure on it to make sure the probes in it is working.”

McGlothin said if the new tank were contaminated, Wednesday’s process would have to be repeated. On that night, Ferriday residents were asked to wash clothes, take baths and perform other activities involving water before 10 p.m. so the valves could be switched off so the tank could fill faster.

“I see a light at end of tunnel,” McGlothin said. “I’m proud of people; they’ve been very patient too.

“I hope they know we are trying to get this resolved.”

Ferriday has been on a boil water notice by the DHH since May 2009, due to a breach in the old water tank that was causing Ferriday’s water supply to become contaminated.