Well woes for rural communities during cold snap
By Kim QuinteroMARCOLA, Ore. - Homeowners in rural communities are dealing with a whole different set of challenges during this cold snap, than those who are living in the city- especially when it comes to their water. From irrigation, to keeping livestock hydrated, a frozen well or pump can really add a ton of stress and take a big bite out of one's wallet. "It's just like a huge resource that I think we take for granted, until obviously it's taken away and you go... Hmmm," said Marcola resident Karen Gamel. Gamel is going on day three without water. "It's really challenging. You can't flush your toilets. Nothing. So we're having to put water in the toilet," said Gamel. Wednesday, Gamel and her husband thought they did everything right to protect their well and pump, but this December freeze turned their water supply to ice. Now, help can only come so quickly. "Because of the long term of cold exposure that we're having, we're seeing a high number of phone calls from people calling without water," said Paul Christensen, Vice President of Christensen Well Drilling Co. Christensen and his four technicians have been working non-stop, and they had to pay a visit to Karen. To avoid a house call, Christensen said put heat tape on all your plumbing. Add a contained light bulb inside a pump house. Put a cardboard box and plastic tarp around pipes to prevent heat loss. Place a container around the well. And most importantly, leave your faucets trickling to circulate the water and prevent freezing. The cost of supplies can be around a hundred bucks, but the cost for a technician can be triple that. Even after taking those steps, Gamel's faucet still wouldn't flow, so why? "The system is only as good as its weakest link, and because we've got pipes possibly frozen where it comes out of the pump house and goes into the ground- or where it comes out of the ground going into the house," said Christensen. If a water system freezes, Christensen said to apply heat- like hot, wet towels and lights- to where you suspect the freezing happened, but don't use a propane torch. It can melt the plastic around the water system. |
Upload directly from your mobile device. Learn howYouNews
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Stay Connected |
Connect with KVALViewer PollMost Popular
|
KVAL, 4575 Blanton Road,