Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden students were kept home from school Friday as a precautionary measure because of several holes in a water main in downtown Hayden.

Three holes were discovered in a 2-foot length of pipe beneath Walnut Street leading up to Hospital Hill at about 2:30 a.m. Public utility workers were able to bolt a metal sleeve over the holes by about 11 a.m., Town Manager Russ Martin said.

Most of the water from the main was diverted down Walnut Street to an irrigation ditch and didn't appear to cause any damage, he said.

Water pressure was lower than usual and a few residences didn't have water, but that was because workers shut off part of the water system to isolate the problem.

The Hayden School District decided early Friday morning to cancel school because officials weren't sure of the extent of the problem and whether there might be water quality issues, Martin said.

"They went on the side of safety," said Martin.

Overall, most of the town was not affected by the problem, and businesses were open by late afternoon.

At first the town didn't have a sleeve big enough to cover the holes, but the city of Craig helped out with a bigger version, said Martin.

The sleeve is designed to last several years, about when the 20-year-old pipe will have to be replaced, he said.

The main is on the town's list of several old pipes that need replacing. Public utility workers recently replaced a water line along Washington Avenue between Third and Poplar streets that was just about as old, Martin said.

"This is just part of ongoing maintenance," said Martin, who expects more holes will occur in the old water lines, but based on the town's response to Friday's problem, he is confident Hayden is prepared for those issues.

"Everybody cooperated and understood and we appreciate that. ... These things are going to happen," he said.

Although water quality in town should be fine, Martin said anyone with water quality issues should call Town Hall at 276-3741.

--To reach Tamera Manzanares call 871-4204 or e-mail tmanzanares@steamboatpilot.com