Repairs are nearing completion on our 32-mile steel pipeline which carries water from our Sage Creek Basin Collection System to the Rawlins Water Treatment plant. As we work to return flow to this pipeline early in March, we hope that our community can save water over the next week or so to help keep us all safe in case of potential issues.
When repairs are complete, we will return flow to the pipeline from the springs. This will switch our water source back to a mixture of spring and well water. We have been using exclusively well water since December 12, 2021, while the line was being repaired. We would like to give a special thanks to RMI Construction Services and F&S Welding/Trucking for helping our Water Treatment and Utilities crews as we have all worked together on the main pipeline repairs.
As we prepare to return water to the line, there is a chance of issues arising. In preparation we have stored as much water as possible, both raw water in Atlantic Rim and Peaking Reservoirs, and treated water in our four tanks. However, we would like to store more water. Please conserve water for the next week to help yourself and your neighbors, as well as our Water Treatment staff and Fire Department. Although we do not expect any issues, we would rather be prepared. Some common ways to conserve water are:
- Turn off the faucet during tasks, such as washing hands, dishes, produce or brushing teeth
- Run your dishwasher only when full and on a shorter cycle
- Run your washing machine on a shorter cycle, and select the correct size
- Take a shorter shower or turn off the water during shampooing, shaving, etc.
- Skip the garbage disposal
There are also lots of tips on the internet, including a great list at wyowater.com/conservation-tips
RMI Construction Services is also making great progress on the replacement of the woodstave pipeline in the Sage Creek Basin. The City of Rawlins set aside over $1.5 million during this current fiscal year so that this pipeline project could be started as soon as possible. RMI Industries has been working hard through all kinds of weather since December 17th, 2021. They have installed around 5,000 feet of new PVC pipe parallel to the existing woodstave pipe through rough terrain, and have around 5,000 left to go. We hope to transition to the new pipeline in early summer, which will recapture any of the water currently being lost by that 10,000 feet of woodstave pipeline. A special thanks to RMI Construction Services, as well as our engineering partners at WWC and Sunrise Engineering, for their efforts to complete this project as quickly as possible.
For more information, please contact Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations Coordinator, at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022.
