September 4, 2024 |
Photo – Water line with several holes – Courtesy City of Rawlins
A series of water main breaks over the weekend left some Rawlins homes and businesses without water until Tuesday afternoon.
Rawlins Public Information Officer Mira Miller explained that a pressure reducing valve failed over the Labor Day weekend. Slightly higher-than-average pressure at the Painted Hills tank caused six separate breaks in the city’s aging water pipeline.
Miller said the first water leak was detected on Saturday afternoon along Front Street, between 7th and 9th Streets. City crews took over 15 hours to replace the broken water and sewer line.
Five more water main breaks were reported on Sunday. Because so many breaks occurred at once, Miller said city employees from outside the utilities department were called in to help. In total, crews spent over 17 hours working to repair the new batch of failures.
The first break happened on Edinburgh Road, just north of Inverness Boulevard. Due to multiple ruptures, Miller said city workers were forced to place several permanent clamps on the pipe. The job wasn’t completed until the following morning, said Miller.
Another water main break occurred on the corner of East Murray Street and Sigma Avenue. Miller said two permanent repair clamps were needed to stop the leak on that section of pipe. Workers had that job completed by 1:00 am Monday morning as well.
Miller explained that Rawlins utility crews worked on three more water main failures at the same time.
Miller said utility crews ended work at 1:00 am Sunday, then returned and worked from 9:00am Monday to 3:00 am Tuesday morning. However, a new break occurred on the corner of Harshman and East Murray Streets Tuesday morning. Crews finally had that leak fixed by 2:00pm yesterday afternoon.
Miller blamed the numerous leaks on the city’s aging water infrastructure.
The public information officer said recent water rate increases will help the city fix the problem. However, the extent of the needed repairs means they will take some time.
Miller said the public works department is severely understaffed. She encouraged anyone interested in joining the municipal workforce to visit city hall.
Miller thanked the city workers who dedicated so much of their holiday weekend to repairing the multiple water main breaks. The public information officer also thanked residents for their patience and support.
Miller said if you notice or suspect a water leak, call the Rawlins utilities clerk at 324-4501 or public works department at 328-4599 during regular business hours. During off hours, Miller said to call the Rawlins Police Department non-emergency line at 328-4530.
