April 14, 2023 |
Photo – Rawlins Water Treatment Plant – Bigfoot99 file photo
Despite the big snowstorms and higher than average snowpack, the City of Rawlins is forecasting more water restrictions this spring and summer.
The city has been in a drought for 22 years. In the last few years, restrictions on water usage, such as lawn watering, were put in place to protect the overworked springs that supply the city with water.
A press release issued by the city, yesterday, states water restrictions may be in effect this summer despite snowpack at the Sage Creek Basin being 203% above average. Not all the snow-melt will end up in the water supply.
Depending on how the spring thaw goes, much of the water may run off the still frozen earth and not seep into the ground. Also, the pipes running from the Sage Creek spring boxes into the city are prone to leaking and some water could be lost during transport.
The press release also mentions work on the pre-treatment plant is moving along more slowly than expected.
As reported earlier this week by Bigfoot99, a crucial water control valve needs to be replaced and an alternative won’t be available until later this month. When the replacement valve is installed, the city will perform a wet run on the pre-treatment plant. The test is expected to occur during the first week of May.
The city lowered the water in its storage tanks in preparation for the pre-treatment plant’s wet run. Normal water usage could drain the tanks even more if the pre-treatment plant isn’t up and running on schedule. Additional water restrictions would then be put into effect to avoid water shortages and boil advisories.
By the middle of May, the city expects to have a better idea of what the summer water supply will look like. It is likely water usage will be less restricted in the spring and early summer, with more strict regulations coming later in the year.
Rawlins officials are planning a town hall meeting in late May or early June to discuss the water situation with the public.
Mira Miller, public information officer for the city, told Bigfoot 99 that water tank levels are lower than average this week to prepare for the pretreatment plant wet run. Staff is monitoring tank levels to maintain a safe level. Miller said if the public usage hits high levels earlier than normal, refilling the tanks may take longer than normal.
Residents can monitor tank levels online at the city of Rawlins website at www.rawlinswy.gov/water.
For more information, please call the Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller at (307)328-4500 extension 1022.
