MONDAY, July 27, 2026|
Photo – Crew working on transmission pipeline – Courtesy City of Rawlins
Work has begun to repair the 32-mile-long water transmission line in Rawlins.
The City of Rawlins relies on the transmission pipeline running from the Sage Creek Springs for its drinking water. Portions of the system date back to the 1920s, until recently, some sections were still relying on century‑old wood stave pipe.
A 2023 Wyoming Water Development Office-funded study recommended focusing on repairing the transmission line, with work estimated to cost roughly $5.7 million. Last May, the city received a $2.835 million grant from the Wyoming Water Development Commission to replace blowoff valves and the cathodic protection system on the 32‑mile line. Blowoff valves allow operators to divert water for maintenance, and cathodic protection prevents the buried steel pipe from corroding. The city is required to match the grant, bringing the total to $5.67 million.
Last Thursday, the city announced that work on the Sage Creek Transmission Pipeline Cathodic Protection Project is now underway. Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller wrote that the project is another important step toward strengthening the city’s water infrastructure. Miller added that residents may see crews working at different points along the transmission line in the coming weeks as the project moves forward.
The next major water infrastructure improvement project will be the Date Street booster station. Once completed, the underground facility will allow the city to divert low pressure water to higher elevations when the high-pressure line is down for repairs. Last month, the city secured a $750,000 grant from the Office of State Lands and Investments for the project.
During the July 21st Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Matt Hall announced that construction of the Date Street booster station is expected to begin in late August or early September, with work taking approximately three weeks to complete.
