City soaked

More than half the city of Portales was without water until noon Monday, after a water main break at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday forced shutdown of parts of the water system.

Similar to an incident that occurred in February of 2006, city officials say the emergency response and shutdown for repairs went much smoother than that event. Residents and businesses were still inconvenienced by the lack of water or low water pressure and Portales Public Schools canceled classes Monday.

By nightfall Sunday, potable water tankers had been brought in to supply Roosevelt General Hospital and Heartland Continuing Care with water. Another tanker was located at the First Baptist Church for residents without water to draw from.

"We've cut a significant amount (of service) off right now to get the water down in the affected area," said Capt. Lonnie Berry spokesperson for the Portales Police Department, speaking from the PPD mobile command center around 9 p.m. Sunday.

The problem appeared to be with a 24-inch line on the west side of Portales — the same size line, but further west from the break that occurred last year. The entire city was without water for more than 20 hours following that break.

According to Public Works Director Tom Howell, the water department employee on duty Sunday received a call about low water pressure at Portales Industrial Park around 3 p.m. Sunday. When he went to investigate there was water everywhere and the source was pinpointed adjacent to Super 8 Motel on West U.S. 70.

City crews began pumping water away from the area immediately and water was running at curb level on First and Second Streets down to Avenue K for awhile Sunday. Howell estimated as much as 1.5 million gallons was lost.

Work had to be suspended temporarily Sunday night as a severe lightning storm passed over the city. Once the lightning danger passed, crews continued working through the rain and darkness on the repair.

According to Howell water was eventually shut off completely as the repair was being finished up. After replacing a section of pipe, crews began systematically turning the system back on throughout the city shortly before noon.

According to Berry, various city departments were called in including the fire department. Roosevelt County Water Coop also helped with the repairs.

The Dora Fire Department supplied water tankers for DairiConcepts use, while WDT milk transport provided three food-grade tankers for use in supplying potable drinking water stations at Roosevelt General Hospital, Heartland Continuing Care Center and the First Baptist Church.

Volunteers from First Baptist Church supplied food for the workers and also assisted with the water distribution to residents from the tanker at the church.

Howell said planning and mapping done after the 2006 water main break helped minimize the headaches on this crisis. He pointed out that water was out to the entire city during that break and service finally had to be shut off at the tank for an extended period.

“I think all in all, it went pretty smoothly,” Howell said.

Superintendent of schools Rany Fowler said that students will not have to makeup the missed day of school.