UPDATE at 9:00 AM Sunday: Normal water usage can resume. Thank you to everyone who reduced their water usage. It made a big difference in keeping our community safe!
The crew worked until after 3 am last night. They replaced 57 feet of pipe in total. Staff stayed overnight to clear an air lock in the line and monitor tank levels. Water is now flowing to both tanks.
*************************
UPDATE at 4:00 PM Saturday: Thank you so much to everyone who has conserved water so far! It is making a big difference. Please keep it up.
The water levels in our tanks are holding well so far. City crews are on site and have almost completed excavation. We will then replace approximately 40 feet of the broken ductile iron pipe with PVC pipe, restore water to the line and watch for breaks, then backfill.
*************************
NOTICE: Saturday at 10:30 AM: There is a break in the water line that carries treated water to the painted hills and hospital tanks. PLEASE conserve water until the break is fixed - take short showers, postpone laundry, etc.
Households and businesses will rely upon the water stored in the tank until the line is repaired. It is critical that water remains in the tanks to prevent further issues. The tanks are currently around 50% full.
Our crews are on site to begin the repair process, beginning with excavating to the break. The plan is to replace the broken pipe area, not clamp, as the break is near the area that blew three clamps in May 2024. Once the repair is made it takes 6-8 hours to fill the pipe from the plant to the tanks.
Some properties may not have water if they are tapped off the main line. Repairing a water break involves these steps:
*obtain 811 locates from other utilities such as gas and electric,
*excavate,
*identify the specific break location and type,
*repair the break,
*restore water service and monitor for additional breaks, and
*backfill.
