At the March 27 Holbrook City Council meeting, Councilman Tim Dixon asked for an update from City Manager Randy Sullivan on the Erie Street water leak. In his response, Sullivan said the Erie Street water break was caused by the water hammer incident that happened in February.

“The crew will be cutting across the road on Erie this week to locate the source of the latest leak,” said Sullivan, which he believes is near the T-section at Sixth Avenue and Erie Street, where the water hammer hit the T-section and travelled up Sixth Avenue.

In a later interview, Sullivan shared what created the water hammer. “Twice a year we test the fire hydrants. In the winter the fire department does it and the city does it in the summer,” said Sullivan.

In February, a new fire department volunteer was tasked with testing the hydrant on Erie Street. Unfamiliar with how to slowly shut off the water to bleed the pressure the volunteer shut the hydrant too fast creating a water hammer, also known as a shock wave, which traveled backward into the main water line.

Traveling from Fourth Avenue to Sixth Avenue along Erie Street, the water hammer left a world of havoc in its wake. Sullivan said one of the apartments was flooded when the water blew through the meter, causing a $20,000 claim against the city’s insurance. All the other meters in those two blocks were also blown. The crews worked until 2 a.m. the next morning to stop the flow of water from the broken meters and pipes.

Unfortunately, the force of the water hammer weakened the pipes and leaks within those two blocks continue to plague the city. The most recent fix was at Hulet Elementary School. Sullivan feels that the final area is at the T-section at Erie Street and Sixth Avenue and the crews will be working to do what he hopes will be the final fix.

Sullivan said when the water hammer occurred he immediately called Holbrook’s Fire Chief Phillip Rose to ensure that training be upgraded. “It was a training let down on the fire department’s side,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan also reported that the back flow testing required by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has to be completed by the end of April. “Most businesses are being cooperative and we are pushing to get it done ahead of schedule,” said Sullivan, who went on to explain that the back flow valves allow the water to flow one way into the business, but stops any back feeding into the main water system. “With the backflow, no contaminates can get into our water system from a business. It’s an added security to our water system,” noted Sullivan.

The city does have an employee that is certified to do the testing at no charge for the business. If a business wants to hire a private tester, they still need to turn the results into the city. If a backflow is not in compliance or fails certification, the cost of repairs will be the responsibility of the business owner. Sullivan said that for those businesses that either fail the certification or are not willing to comply, it is possible that their water will be shut off until the certification can be completed.

In other business, Sullivan said he met with Federal Aviation Administration in pursuit of a grant to get runway lights up at the airport. He also noted that the fuel meter at the airport was replaced and is working well.

Sullivan also extended a thank you to Navajo County Public Works Department for using their drone to help with the mapping out of the proposed pond area at the west side of town.

Last week, a city crew went to the Petrified Forest National Park to fix a broken water meter at the park’s housing area. Adam Marsh, a paleontologist at the Petrified Forest and resident of Holbrook, personally came to the meeting to thank the council for the help they received from the city in fixing the water break.

In other business, the council:

* Authorized a proclamation making April being Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

* Approved a contract with Fireworks Productions of Arizona for firework show on July 4 for the total cost not to exceed $12,800.

* Approved an access easement agreement with Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority Institute, Inc.

* Heard a presentation from Holbrook’s Little League President Mark Oberitter and Secretary Melissa Olson reminding everyone that the opening day games and ceremonies will be on Saturday, April 28.

* Were informed of a free Fusion concert at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. this Thursday, April 5.

* Heard a presentation from Navajo County staff on the Ready Set Go! statewide campaign for emergency preparedness.