City Council declares water emergency

By Gina Vera

Alpine

This is a developing story that will be updated.

The Alpine City Council voted unanimously to declare a water emergency during a May 1 emergency council meeting after the “Roberts 3” well, which supplies water to the west side of the city, experienced a drop in output from a failed pump.

While the city has plenty of water, there is an issue getting it to residents on the west side of town, said City Manager Henry Arredondo. The well dropped to less than 25 percent of its capacity due to the pump failure, he said.  City staff had been watching the well for some time, but it became an emergency on Wednesday, Arredondo said.

“We noticed that it wasn’t operating at capacity and it was being reduced and reduced,” he said. “So right now we’ve ordered a new pump, and it should be on its way. And, our well expert, as soon as he gets it, he’ll install it.”

“This is a serious situation, but it is one we are prepared to manage,” said Mayor Catherine Eaves. “At this time, water remains safe to drink, and service continues across the city. Our goal is to keep it that way.”

Arredondo estimated that the pump and parts needed to attempt to fix the issue would arrive in Alpine late Friday, but he cautioned that the new pump might not be the only need, saying that the well is one of the oldest in town. “There could be some further issues. He’ll have to stick a camera down there and kinda scope it out,” Arredondo said.

Concerns that the pump might not be fixable or that the well, which dates back to the 1950s, might have more serious issues, had city council members discussing options during the meeting.

Those options include digging a new well, paying to use an existing well that belongs to somebody else, or using an existing test well, Arredondo said.

“Our staff, engineers, and well specialists are already working to determine whether the well can be repaired by adding a new pump,” Eaves said. “If repair is not possible or not fast enough, we are prepared to move forward with other options. We will also take any temporary steps necessary to stabilize the system, including supplemental pumping and short-term water conservation measures,” she said.

The declaration of a water emergency will allow city staff to move forward with repairs more quickly, without the need for multiple approvals from the council or lengthy bidding processes.

Due to this emergency, Alpine residents are expected to follow Stage 3 Water Restrictions, including:

  •  Outdoor watering is limited to handheld hoses or watering cans.
  • Watering is permitted only between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
  • All irrigation systems, including sprinklers and automated systems, are prohibited.
  • Washing sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces is prohibited.
  •  Filling or refilling of swimming pools, spas, or similar features is prohibited.
  • Vehicle washing is prohibited, except at commercial car washing facilities, and only between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Council members also noted the municipal swimming pool opening will likely be delayed until the water supply issues are resolved.