By China Cassidy During the week of April 27, Sun Valley residents experienced frustration as their water pressure dropped dramatically. In response, the Holbrook Water Department worked to restore pressure but encountered a few obstacles before finally locating the issue, ultimately extending the time residents had low pressure into the following week. Water/wastewater Supervisor Randy Sullivan shared how they fixed the problem and what the long-term plan is to ensure Sun Valley residents don’t lose water pressure in the future. Approximately 20 years ago, the City of Holbrook annexed Sun Valley and as a result acquired the responsibility of maintaining its water systems. According to Sullivan, the crew had initially been working on installing a water tap just before Sun Valley residents began experiencing low water pressure. Generally, when installing a water tap for a new resident, they can isolate the area they are working on without affecting the water pressure for the rest of the residents by shutting down the valves. After turning the valves back on, the water is supposed to regain pressure, but in this case, it did not which, according to Sullivan, was an indication that there might be a water break. “Usually, once we kick it back on, the booster pumps will kick back on and we’ll regain pressure. Usually, if it doesn’t gain back, that means there is a water break.” Crews then spent the next few days attempting to locate a break in the water system but did not find one. Sullivan said they eventually enlisted the help of the telemetry system operator, who assisted in troubleshooting the problem. On Monday, May 4, the water crew began cleaning out the pump lines thinking that maybe the pumps weren’t getting enough water from the tanks. While doing so, they noticed a valve that they were not aware of was there and it was frozen in the open position. After investigating further, they realized that the opened valve was preventing the water lines from being able to build pressure. Sullivan explained, “In reality, the check valve shouldn’t have even been there. Basically, what that valve is doing, is in a emergency, that valve would open up and the customer would have water, just enough water from the tank. It’s not going to be enough water for pressure or anything like that, but they’d have dribbles. Then, as soon as the pumps kick on, that valve is designed to close, force the water through our pumps, build pressure and then shoot it back out to the customers. So basically, what it was doing was with that valve being stuck open, those pumps were just circulating, and no water was really going out to the customers.” Sullivan stated, “The long-term goal is to put a valve there and the valve would be always closed except in an emergency when we need water out there. Now, we’ll be able to shut the water off at the tank, and the customers probably won’t even realize that they’re out of water because we’ll be able to isolate it, put a new valve in and fix that within a little while and get it back on.” The nearly two-week period that residents were experiencing low water pressure proved to be a real challenge for residents to manage everyday functions without adequate water supply, especially given the recent COVID-19 restrictions. Sun Valley resident Cindy Tafoya said that while she did have water, it was very little and as a result she lost some of their garden. Tafoya expressed her appreciation for the city workers’ diligence and that most of her concern was for the safety and quality of life of her family as well as the rest of Sun Valley. Tafoya explained, “I wasn’t upset with the city that the water was out. I understand that there will be issues. It was more frustration of not having water to wash clothes, water my garden and new little trees, have water for my pets and chickens and even flush the toilet. In light of the COVID (19) guidance, it was extra concerning for me because my husband is in the public every day and we could not do the immediate hot wash of his work clothing, masks, etc. like we had been. “Some days we had a drizzle of cold water and other days nothing. We were fortunate that there would be a little more pressure outside where we could bring in water with a bucket. We do not haul water in the over 40 years that I or my family have lived out here. So personally, I was ill-prepared to have our water off for two weeks.” Tafoya continued, “I could tell the city employees were just as frustrated not being able to identify and remedy the problem right away and I could appreciate that. I, however, felt more compassion for the many families out here who had to endure the time without water. I was fortunate to have my family in town, where we were able to go as needed. I don’t know if everyone had that support. In response to the frustration demonstrated by some who were affected Sullivan offered, “Most of the public out there, they were frustrated, and I understand that. But a lot of them were very grateful when we finally got it on, too. We don’t always get kudos and I really appreciate those that gave us kudos.”
