Walsenburg mayor gives update: Water main break is partially fixed

WALSENBURG, Colo. -- Residents in the city of Walsenburg remain under a disaster declaration and boil water advisory after a major water main break disrupted service across the community.

As of March 17, the city announced it will shut off one of the main water transmission lines, which could be out for several hours.

City officials say the break happened around 2 a.m. Friday, causing a loss of pressure in the municipal water system and leaving many residents without water or with extremely low pressure. 

Because of that loss of pressure, a boil water advisory remains in effect citywide until further notice. Officials are urging residents to boil water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, or washing dishes. 

City crews have been working continuously to locate and repair the damaged line. The city issued a formal disaster declaration as crews searched for the leak and began emergency repairs. 

At the Walsenburg Community Center, lines formed as residents picked up bottled water. The Salvation Army and the Red Cross of Southern Colorado are there to help, along with dozens of volunteers. Many have also been using showers at nearby Lathrop State Park, where Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are welcoming community members to stay clean while the crisis continues.

“I know it’s frustrating, people — especially if you can’t flush a toilet. It’s miserable,” said Mayor Gary Vezzani. “I don’t think there is anything worse than losing your water. I mean, you can put a blanket on for heat, but between not being able to cook, not bathe, not being able to use the toilet, it’s been a big inconvenience.”

City crews have been working around the clock to locate the source of the leak, but the city’s aging water system has made the task challenging. Vezzani thanked crews for their tireless efforts.

“You just gotta thank everybody, trying to find this leak, been working twenty hours a day,” said Vezzani.

Residents are feeling the strain. Cassandra Marquez, a local resident, shared her frustration: “It’s been hard, and um, I just don’t know what to do no more.”

Mayor Vezzani told KRDO13 that they believe they have found the leak, but crews are still working to turn the valve off. Once repairs are made, it could take a couple of days for water service to fully return to normal.

"We've got an aging system, it was put in in the 50's and 60's, so we gotta start working towards getting some grants and upgrades, especially in old Walsenburg from the treatment plant down to this side of town," said Vezzani

City officials say the cost of the repairs will be handled after the crisis is resolved. Meanwhile, the state and the Red Cross continue to assist residents with water distribution and other essential needs.

Mayor Vezzani said the leaky line is not fully fixed, but they were able to shut the valve off.

Vezzani said, "A couple thousand people on the east side of Walsenburg are still out, but we're already getting calls from others that their water pressure is back." The line is not fully repaired, and he doubts they will fully finish fixing it tonight.

Jerry Pacheco, the Walsenburg city administrator, told KRDO13 that Denver water is assisting, and their focus is getting this dealt with as quickly as possible. We asked the city how much this would cost when it's all over, and who is going to pay for it, and were told the city will figure that out once this crisis is over.

Residents are advised to continue boiling water until the city confirms the system is fully restored.

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