Running water was restored Tuesday in Hydaburg, a small community of about 400 people on the southern end of Prince of Wales Island. The town was without running water for over a week.
According to Hydaburg Mayor Anthony Christianson, recent issues with the city’s water pressure began in early July. In response, city workers bled the system to remove airlocks in the line. Christianson said that only temporarily fixed the issue, and the city again had low water pressure within a few days.
“So, they had to go look further up the line and found that the line from the reservoir area where we draw from the river to the station where we chlorinate and filter our water – there was breaks, like three breaks in the line,” Christianson said. “So, they had to go up and repair those three breaks and flush that, and clean that, and clear it out.”
Christianson said workers followed the underground water line to stabilize pressure in the system. They’re also replacing a section of piping. The town is under a water boil notice and is asking residents to conserve water when possible. Hydaburg’s burn ban notice, which was issued earlier this week when there wasn’t running water, is still in effect.
This isn’t the first time the city has experienced issues with its aging water infrastructure. Christianson said within the last year, it’s experienced freeze-ups and breaks.
The city is also waiting to build a dam and is currently pulling water with a pump from a nearby river. Christianson said that can complicate things.
“You’re pretty much subject to the ebb and flow of the river, and how much rain comes and goes, and a higher siltation,” he said. “So, the pump’s been struggling in keeping up with that as we wait to build a dam.”
In response to Hydaburg’s water crisis, numerous communities and organizations across southern Southeast Alaska donated potable and bottled water. Each Hydaburg household was supplied with potable water and a case of bottled water every day.
Klawock and Craig, an hour’s drive from Hydaburg, sent down their water operators to help resolve the issue. Groups in those towns also offered showers to those in need.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
