1/13/2009 12:19:00 PM Navajo Mountain waterline ok, but challenges continue
By Selena Manychildren Special to the Observer
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - After 19 days of water line problems, Navajo Mountain's Rainbow Community finally had water flowing through the water line last Friday.
"The water is back on, the roads are clear and the water hauling activity is over," Chapter President Alex Bitsinnie said.
Ron Hardy, the supervisor for the Division of Water Resources in Tuba City, confirmed the water line was back in full service late Monday.
Navajo Mountain began having water line problems following a 2006 forest fire. Hardy explained that there is nothing to hold back the erosion from runs off that shift the pipes around, contributing to breakage.
On Jan. 7, the water was continuing to flow into the community water tank but the pressure was very low. Navajo Water Resources personnel located the problem and made repairs on Jan. 8.
Navajo Mountain's water availability problems are not only because of the remoteness of the water source but recent repairs have been hampered by weather. One to two feet of snow covered the water line making it difficult to locate the break, which was finally uncovered with a backhoe after three days.
The icy snow-covered roads, the low temperature at the repair site, and getting parts during the holidays, added to the delay with recent repair work.
