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Districts Work Together to Get Customers Their Water

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Jul 9, 2012 at 7:58 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 7:54 AM MDT

CLIFTON, Colo.- Over the weekend severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding in the Grand Valley. Not only were properties affected, but water supply was impacted, too.

Clifton Water District manager, Dale Tooker, said, “There was a ribbon of black debris. Everything from pine needles, burnt pine needles, to pieces of chard.”

Heavy thunderstorms and flash flooding in the De Beque area following the Pine Ridge Fire caused extreme ash, debris and chard to go into the Colorado River.

“It gave off a very smoky odor to the water and made it very, very difficult to treat,” Tooker said.

On Sunday, Clifton water had to completely shut off all water treatments for several hours.

Officials say that the reverse osmosis machines that the district uses were instrumental in helping the Clifton Water District remove debris from the water.

Tooker said, “The nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and membrane technology really did kind of save some of the treatment process.”

Around 4 a.m Monday, Clifton Water called in for reinforcements. They asked Ute Water to help provide some water to Clifton residents.

Joe Burtard, spokesman for Ute Water, said, “There’s four domestic water providers in the Grand Valley, and all of us have what we refer to as an interconnect system.”

Clifton Water expects the Pine Ridge Fire debris to completely pass through within 24 to 48 hours.

“We’re prepared to supply Clifton with water with as much water as they need,” Burtard said.

Until that happens, some residents in Clifton will be getting water from both the Clifton Water District and Ute Water.

Officials want Clifton residents to know that Ute Water disinfects with chloramines. “If you are an aquatic life owner or a kidney dialysis patient, you will need to take into consideration that we do use chloramines," Burtard said.

Although water companies can’t control nature, their teamwork is helping the community get through this setback smoothly.

If you have questions, call Clifton Water or Ute Water during normal business hours.

Officials say customers should not be concerned. However, they are asking that residents try and conserve water as much as they can at this time.

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