Water access continues to be a concern in Shoshone County

On Thursday, a break in a main water line caused some residents in the Osburn area to notice that their water wasn't quite clear and several of them took to social media to see if there some sort of contamination issue.

Fortunately for them, Barney Norris with the Central Shoshone County Water District was able to confirm that there was no issue and that “cloudy” or “milky” water is symptomatic of when the maintenance crews have to fix a broken pipe.

With the heavy snowfall beginning to melt off and the increased rain and freezing night temperatures concerns over frozen or broken water lines are paramount in the Silver Valley.

This particular break happened near Big Creek and the process that goes into repairing such an issue can cause some rather unsightly H2O.

“We have to stop the water to repair a break,” Norris said. “Normally the water is steadily flowing and there is no room in the pipes for air to get in there, but when we have to shut it off to repair a break, suddenly there is air in the line and that is what causes the cloudy or milky looking water.”

Norris also reported that there is the possibility of some mild sediment getting into the water after a shut off due mainly to force of the turbulent water refilling those empty pipes and there being no way for them to bleed that burst of high-pressured water off.

“Normally, in a situation like this we would have opened a fire hydrant to help clear some of that water but you can't do that in February when the temperatures are dipping and we already have a lot of extra water on the streets,” Norris said.

Norris was adamant that the water is not contaminated and poses no threat to residents.

“We have contact Osburn's mayor and informed of the situation and it may take time to clear up,” Norris stated, “but it should dissipate fairly quickly and it poses no threat to public safety.”

Water has become sort of a hot commodity in Shoshone County as this situation along with issue in Pinehurst has forced city and county officials to make sure that they have secure contingencies in place should the water stop flowing.

Earlier this week the Pinehurst Water District along with the Shoshone County Commissioners issued a declaration of emergency and have began the process of gathering information and funding to get water back to the 21 residences and five businesses who have been without water since January 15.

For more information, or to report an issue with your water please contact your local water district.