Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — A broken water main at the Bud Werner Memorial Library construction site has left Steamboat Springs residences and businesses west of 11th Street without water, possibly until Thursday.

City officials sent out a reverse-911 alert late Tuesday afternoon warning residents not to drink or use city water because of potential bacterial contamination. Public Works Director Jim Weber said the no-drink order means residents should not use tap water to brush their teeth, wash dishes, shower or for any other purpose.

"Please don't drink your water. Don't even open the tap," Weber said Tuesday evening. "We do not recommend that you utilize any water, even if you're boiling it. We're saying no use. Zero. Period."

Weber asked residents in the affected areas not to flush their toilets until the order is lifted.

"If, potentially, there is bacteria in the system, all that's going to do is circulate it even more," Weber said.

Areas affected by the no-drink order extend from 11th Street west to Steamboat Springs city limits and include Fairview, Dream Island Mobile Home Park, West End Village, Copper Ridge, West Acres Mobile Home Park, Downhill Drive, Steamboat Springs Airport, Riverside Plaza, and industrial and commercial areas along U.S. Highway 40 west of downtown.

Areas not affected include Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park, Steamboat Campground, Heritage Park, Steamboat II and Silver Spur. Also not impacted are Old Town areas north of 11th Street, including Colorado Mountain College, The Boulevard and Uncochief Circle.

Weber said city staff will collect water samples for bacteriological tests conducted by the Routt County Department of Environmental Health. Because the tests require a 24-hour "growth period" for potential bacteria, results likely won't be confirmed until mid-morning Thursday.

"If it's sooner, we will get the information out with another reverse-911," said Lauren Mooney, assistant to City Manager Alan Lanning. Mooney said the city also will use media outlets, such as the Steamboat Pilot & Today, to provide updates.

"Drink bottled water, don't use your taps and don't flush your toilets, because it may further contaminate the system," Mooney said.

During Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Lanning said the water main had been repaired, but that the no-drink order will remain in affect.

"The line is fixed and pressurized, but the water is not safe to drink," he said. "Right now we are coordinating purchasing vast quantities of bottled water we can pick up. We are renting a number of (portable toilets) to place them in areas to use, so you can take care of those basic needs if you don't have water to your house."

Weber said a construction crew at the library was searching for the water main with an excavator at about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday when workers hit the line and broke it. Adolfson & Peterson Construction is building the library expansion. Construction superintendent Mike Knack could not be reached late Tuesday evening.

"This is the result of contractor's error at the library site," Weber said.

City officials were first informed about the break at about 3:30 p.m., Weber said.

Weber said the broken pipe was about 7 feet underground. Water was draining from a 10-inch opening into the construction area and Soda Creek, he said. The drainage and resulting lack of pressure disrupted the western end of the city's water system and allowed contaminants to potentially pollute city water, Weber said.

Residents in areas east of 11th Street might notice discoloration in their water. Weber said discolored water in those areas is safe to drink, but he advised residents to run discolored water until it becomes clear.

Check www.steamboatpilot.com for the latest updates.