Crested Butte water main replacement runs into August

Last of the steel

One of the last major projects to upgrade the Crested Butte water distribution system should be completed by the middle of next month. The town, along with Lacy Construction, is replacing the last two blocks of steel water main in the system on the west side of town.

Crews are slowly working the alleys between Whiterock and Sopris Avenues between First and Second and Second and Third Streets. The steel pipe is being replaced with cement-lined ductile iron pipe.
“As far as the steel pipe in town, this is it,” explained Crested Butte water system manager David Jelinek. “Originally the steel pipe was replaced with cast-iron pipe, but this is even better. We were getting leaks if the pipe wasn’t properly bedded in the ground when it was laid, but with the ductile iron pipes, the material is stronger so we should have even fewer problems and it should last a long time.”
Jelinek said given the tightness in the alleys, the project takes time. “On average, 40 to 60 feet of water main is laid each day,” he said. “It is a tight, difficult project and Lacy is dealing with other utilities in the ground. It is slow going.”
He said some homeowners are also choosing to replace their old service lines that run from the water main to their homes. “It is a good time to do it since Lacy is already there and the pipe is exposed,” he said.
There have been a few reports of people getting ill and blaming it on the temporary water distribution operation. The town says that is unlikely as all precautions are taken and the temporary water lines are flushed and the water heavily chlorinated. The temporary water main is two-inch HDPE pipe and garden hoses have been used to attach from the temporary water main to the each house.
“We go by standard procedures and use new garden hoses to bring water into individual places,” explained Bill Lacy of Lacy Construction. “Some people have volunteered their garden hoses but for the most part we supply new hoses. I’m not aware of any specific incidents.”
Overall, the replacement will save the town money, according to Jelinek. “We expect fewer repairs as result of this replacement,” he said. “And there will be no water loss with these new pipes.”
The project is scheduled to be completed by August 19.