CADIZ — The longtime owners of the Christopher Spring are working to repair the popular water outlet that recently ceased its steady flow of water.

Emily Wagner, owner of Christophe Spring, said this is the first time the spring has stopped its constant flow in more than a century.

“As many in our community know or have noticed, the flow from the spring located on Christopher Springs Farm has stopped. This is the first time this has happened in the more than a century that our family has proudly served as a caretaker for this important community water source,” she said.

About two weeks ago, the spring located along Ohio 9 in Cadiz suddenly stopped flowing. The spring has been a staple in the community for more than 100 years. The water is collected from a pipe into a trough along the roadside. Up until recently, it has flowed constantly and residents often stop and enjoy its crystal clear, cold water.

Wagner said she wants residents to know that they are working toward having the spring repaired.

“We would like the public to know that we have hired a contractor to assess the situation with the spring. And while the initial cost estimate to attempt to rectify the situation is substantial, if it can be rectified, we are committed to doing everything we can to make it happen. Please have patience and know we are doing everything we can to get the spring flowing again. Thank you,” she said.

Wagner said the family had an engineer come to the property to inspect the spring a few months ago due a change to the spring’s water pressure. The spring had been running slower than normal, she said. The piping system that carries the spring’s water to the roadside may have to undergo a redevelopment, which could take some time to have completed.

Wagner said she assumes the spring has stopped flowing due to a combination of summer drought and a possible blockage. A camera will be inserted into the pipes this week in order to locate any blockage, she said.

“I, like the rest of the community, got very concerned when the spring stopped flowing. We’re looking into it to see what the cause is. There hasn’t been anything done to the property in recent years that would have changed the flow, so I’m not sure what caused it other than the drought or a blockage to the spring,” she said.

Wagner said fracking is not a factor in the spring’s lack of water production.

“There’s no fracking going on around here in this general area,” she said.

Although the Wagner family is not yet certain what the exact cause of the problem is, they are working to have it corrected so the community can continue to enjoy the spring.

“It’s been an important part of my family for over 100 years, and we as a family have committed to trying to do things for the community because of our roots here (in Cadiz),” she said.

Wagner said Christopher Springs Farm also started an organic produce farm to offer naturally grown produce to Harrison County.

“We wanted to bring naturally grown produce to a community that would otherwise have to drive really far to get it,” she said.