Sewer line leak creates problems inside Pueblo County Jail

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A corroded sewer line is making life difficult for deputies working inside the Pueblo County Jail. The line collapsed earlier this month and spewed sewage inside the basement of the 40-year old jail, permeating a smell throughout.

Currently, contractors are working to repair 60 feet of the corroded sewer pipe. The broken pipe was initially estimated at 20 feet in length, crews discovered significantly more of the 40-year-old pipe was cracked.

As crews work on the pipes, deputies working inside the jail say the construction is not a minor inconvenience.

So far, a holding cell was closed, and certain restrooms are out of service.

The property section, which has also been closed, sees 75 to 100 inmates pass through every day. Deputies relocated this section of the jail from the first floor to the second, but crews say the detour route is creating a more time consuming and cumbersome process.

It's unclear when the sewer pipes will be fixed, or how it will be paid for. The Pueblo County Commissioners have been notified of the issue and are discussing how best to move forward.

“This is another casualty of an old building with outdated infrastructure,” said Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor. “This pipe is the original that was put in when this building was constructed 40 years ago. It’s no surprise contractors are finding more of the pipe is cracked than
originally anticipated.”

Back in November, more than 65% of voters in Pueblo County turned down a sales tax increase to build a new jailhouse out in the county.