Manitou Springs residents concerned about frequent water main breaks

Manitou Springs say they think the city’s old infrastructure is causing water main pipes to break at an unacceptable rate.

Complaints surfaced online after crews responded to a major water pipe burst on Pawnee Ave. Wednesday afternoon.

“[The water] was off, and then it looked funky. It looked orange,” said Gary Moore, who lives nearby.

Another man posted a photo on his muddy water in a mug on Facebook.

KRDO crews talked to Manitou Springs residents Thursday about the frequent water main breaks. While some people said enough is enough, as they experience upwards of 12 water main breaks a year, others say the city’s crews are doing the best they can.

“I think they’re working their tails off trying to make sure they stay on top of it. It’s an old, established community that’s been here for many, many years,” said Bill Horwath.

We reached out to the Manitou Springs Water Division to see if officials have any future projects planned to update the water systems. City officials told us they plan to update infrastructure on Willa Lane, Deneta Drive, and Clarksley Road this year. Next year, they plan to fix up the Plainview Subdivision area.

The City Council is set to vote sometime before December on whether they should raise water rates. They tell us the extra funds would go to more repairs and regular maintenance.