The Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) and the Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District (PSSGID) both experienced further damage in the flooding events on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
In a Monday, Nov. 2, update, PAWSD Programs Manager Renee Lewis explained that the district was having water pressure and service issues in downtown Pagosa Springs.
She stated that PAWSD had all available staff working on the issue with the goal of restoring service as soon as possible.
“If water service is currently off, it is because damaged portions of the distribution system have been isolated,” she said. “This is to protect the overall system and public health. If customers have water, it is safe to drink.”
Water service for many downtown residents and businesses appeared to be restored by Monday afternoon.
Lewis stated that all the district’s water and wastewater treatment plants were fully functional, although the main PAWSD campus on Lyn Avenue, which also contains the district’s wastewater treatment plant and one of its water treatment plants, was closed to the public due to “fluctuating high water in the area.”
In a Wednesday, Nov. 4 update, Lewis stated that the district’s water diversion on the West Fork of the San Juan River frequently requires removal of excess silt and debris and that the district expects this need to continue as the flood waters recede.
This diversion feeds the district’s Snowball water treatment plant and also had to be cleared following the flooding incident on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.
“Crews are working to stabilize pocket pressure issues in the downtown area,” Lewis said.
She added that PAWSD is working with the Colorado Department of Transportation to schedule installation of a temporary water line to replace one at 1st Street that was damaged during the most recent flooding event.
In a Nov. 1 update, the Town of Pagosa Springs, which runs the PSSGID, informed residents that sewage was being discharged into the San Juan River near the U.S. 160 bridge at 1st Street.
The PSSGID did not provide any further information on damage suffered, system conditions, the sewage spill or progress on any repairs by press time Wednesday, Nov. 4.
However, Archuleta School District (ASD) announced Wednesday that, despite previously announcing its schools would reopen on Thursday, Nov. 5, its downtown schools are now slated to return on Tuesday, Nov. 10, due to damage to the PSSGID system.
“Unfortunately, as floodwaters have receded, additional damage to the Town of Pagosa Springs’ sewer lines has been discovered,” a Wednesday statement from the district reads. “Town Public Works officials informed us this morning that significant repairs are needed and that additional time is required to obtain materials and complete the work.”
It notes that, at the town’s request, ASD schools (except for Pagosa Peak Open School) will remain closed through Monday, Nov. 9, with plans to reopen on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Because the sewer damage is limited to the downtown area, Pagosa Peak Open School will reopen tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 5, as previously planned, according to the district.
“Thank you for your continued flexibility during this unprecedented event,” the announcement states.
Geothermal system
sustains damage
During a meeting held by the Pagosa Springs Town Council on Tuesday, Nov. 3, town staff explained that a geothermal line running underneath the pedestrian bridge connecting the San Juan Riverwalk to The Springs Resort had been compromised.
It was noted by staff that the damaged geothermal line runs from the town’s geothermal building to the resort.
Council member Madeline Bergon asked if residents who rely on the town’s geothermal system for heat are still “live,” to which staff indicated they are not.
Staff explained that they are waiting on water levels to drop in order to replace that geothermal line.
Black Hills Energy using supplemental gas
According to a Nov. 4 update on the Black Hills Energy webpage for the Pagosa Springs area flooding, the company is using supplemental gas supplies while its infrastructure is repaired.
“Recent flooding has affected portions of the natural gas supply infrastructure serving our region,” the Nov. 4 update notes. “To maintain reliable service, supplemental supplies of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are being used to support the natural gas distribution system while impacted supply pathways are restored. This temporary LNG/CNG operation helps strengthen system reliability and support customers, businesses, and critical community services during flood recovery efforts.”
For more information on the Black Hills and the flooding, visit www.blackhillsenergy.com/news/pagosa-springs-flooding.
State temporarily relaxes enforcement of state law related to propane tanks
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, it was announced that, due to the ongoing flooding emergency, the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety is temporarily relaxing enforcement of a state law that generally prohibits propane companies from filling tanks owned by another provider.
According to the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and division, the temporary change is intended to help residents who are running out of propane or are in immediate danger of running out, particularly when freezing temperatures create health and safety risks.
If your propane provider cannot respond to your request for a delivery, another propane company may be able to fill your tank, the agencies explain, provided certain conditions are met:
• You must be out of propane or in imminent danger of running out.
• You must make a good-faith effort to contact your current propane provider.
• The alternate provider must attempt to contact the tank owner and document those efforts.
• All required propane safety inspections, testing, and regulations must be followed.
This is a temporary measure intended to protect residents during the disaster emergency and does not waive propane safety requirements.
For questions, contact Scott Wagner with the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety at (303) 378-6817 or scotta.wagner@state.co.us.
Please remember: Never attempt to connect propane containers or modify your propane system yourself. Improper connections can create serious fire, explosion, and carbon monoxide hazards.
josh@pagosasun.com
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