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Downed power lines impacts GC water

Because the pump at Indian Garden is not operating, water reserves in the village are not being replenished, said Nick Hardigg, chief of concessions for the park.

“We’re now at 70 percent capacity for our water storage,” Hardigg said Thursday morning. “In any case, this is a situation we’re concerned about because once things get real tight ... we’ll start with water conservation efforts.”

Hardigg was not sure how many days the water supply would last if not replenished, but public affairs specialist Dawn O’Sickey estimated one to two weeks.

“They’re working hard on a game plan for fixing the situation down there,” Hardigg said.

APS crews were grounded Friday because of poor weather and then “ran out of hours” because of Arizona Department of Transportation restrictions in place on large-vehicle drivers.

Keil said APS crews out of Phoenix and Williams were scheduled to resume work on Tuesday of this week.

APS learned of the power outage on Oct. 3, the day after the night-time lightning storm. Severe weather that afternoon prohibited a helicopter landing, however. But Keil found a problem in the Battleship formation.

“The next day, we had a crew in to make repairs to that pole and structure,” Keil said. “I re-energized the line and called Phantom Ranch and they said they had power.”

However, there was no power at Indian Garden. Strangely, the line was still energized up top, which confused APS even more. That prompted a flight to follow the line and that’s when it was discovered in Horn Creek, still energized.

“It’s been quite a challenge, plus it’s in a sensitive condor area and all those kinds of issues,” Keil said.

Hardigg was urging those in attendance at Thursday’s park-hosted community meeting to start thinking water conservation.

“Don’t wash your cars until further notice and hopefully, you’re not watering your lawns since it’s cooler,” he said. “Keep laundry to a minimum.”

Hardigg said the park will be working with Xanterra Parks and Resorts to see what actions might be appropriate with the concessioner. Xanterra operates lodges, restaurants and certain other services at the South Rim.

Xanterra’s Bill Johnston said the company already has an environmental action plan that called for washing laundry just once during a visitor’s stay. Other things like not automatically putting water on tables in the restaurants could be done, unless of course the customers asks for it.


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