11:30AM CST UPDATE:
A water pipeline leak has been temporarily repaired, but customers of the West River/Lyman Jones and Oglala Sioux Rural Water systems are being asked to conserve water for a little while longer while the system catches up.
Information from WR/LJ says the leak was found last night (June 29) and a temporary repair was made. The pipe continues to leak but the temporary band has slowed the flow down, so the water treatment plant and core pipeline have been turned back on. Water pressure is slowly increasing in the Vivian, Presho, Kennebec and Reliance areas.
WR/LJ says many areas may experience cloudy, colored water which is caused by air in the pipelines. It is not harmful and will work its way out eventually.
Again, customers are asked to continue conserving water to ensure water is available for citizens, businesses, livestock and other primary needs.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Fort Pierre and other customers of the West River/Lyman Jones and Oglala Sioux Rural Water systems are still being asked to conserve water this morning (June 30) after an unsuccessful effort to repair a broken Mni Wiconi core pipeline over the past few days.
Information from WR/LJ says the pipeline leak is not located at the same spot where the water was surfacing. The crew is backfilling the excavated pipeline, and the Bureau of Reclamation and the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System will coordinate another time to attempt repairs.
Although the pipeline in Fort Pierre is still leaking, it has been sufficiently backfilled and turned back on. The leaking will continue until the next attempt at repairing the break.
The areas that will be experiencing the most significant service interruptions include the rural areas in Lyman County, eastern Jones County, southern Stanley County and the towns of Draper, Vivian and Reliance. Although water was turned back on in Fort Pierre, it will take several hours for the pipelines and reservoirs to recover. Once water is restored to everyone, it will take another couple of additional days to completely fill the storage reservoirs.
Customers must continue to conserve water and follow the emergency water restriction notice for the next several days, meaning customers SHOULD NOT:
- water lawns
- wash vehicles
- wash pavement or other surfaces
- fill pools
- fill spray tanks
- water plots at Scotty Philips Cemetery
- use water for other unnecessary purposes
These emergency restrictions are necessary to ensure water is available for citizens, businesses, livestock and other primary needs. The entities appreciate your understanding and reduced water use while the lines are being repaired.
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