NATCHEZ — Ferriday area schools will be closed today because of the town’s ongoing water issues, Mayor Glen McGlothin said.

All schools in the town of Ferriday and Ridgecrest School will be closed. Parents and school staff have been notified through the phone alert system.

One of two clarifying filters at the water plant broke Saturday, and while a technician is on-hand to repair it, the town is waiting on a part. The other filter, which McGlothin said needs constant babysitting, will be repaired as well.

“We don’t want kids to come to school just to turn around go back,” McGlothin said. “We are erring on the side of caution.”

An emergency aldermen meeting was called Sunday morning to address the problem. The mayor said aldermen voted to do whatever it takes to fix the filter issues.

“No ifs, ands or buts about it, people want decent water, and its our job to give them decent water,” McGlothin said.

He said town leaders and school administrators will only know the status of school openings on a day-by-day basis.

“They will probably be closed no more than two days I imagine,” McGlothin said.

Concordia Parish Schools Superintendent Loretta Blankenstein she is working with McGlothin and emergency preparedness representatives to make the call — to reopen or stay closed — one day at a time.

“We are certainly very hopeful that water can be restored, because we need to be in school every day that we have,” Blankenstein said. “We will wait and see.”

Blankenstein noted that Ridgecrest is not having water issues, but because the same buses transport Ferriday and Ridgecrest students, and meals for Ridgecrest are prepared at Ferriday, Ridgecrest will be closed.

Blankenstein said parents should call the school board office and talk to Lynda Cantu if they need additional information.

She said more alert calls will be sent out regarding Tuesday classes if the filter issues are not rectified Monday.

McGlothin said residents should continue to conserve as much water as possible until the filters are fixed.

“We’re making water right now, but heck, you don’t know where things are going,” McGlothin said.