UPDATE: Dozen homes remain without water following line break

By Mike Wiggins
Thursday, March 7, 2013

Ute Water Conservancy District crews are working to repair a 12-inch water line accidentally breached this morning by a contractor.

Ute Water spokesman Joe Burtard said around noon that only a dozen homes or so remain without water in the west end of the Grand Valley. Water service has been restored to Fruita Monument High School, Fruita 8-9 School and Rim Rock Elementary School.

The break happened at 10 a.m. when Accurate Construction & Excavation Inc crews working on an irrigation canal lining project hit Ute Water’s 12-inch line at Pine Street and Carolina Avenue in Fruita, according to Burtard. The break affected most areas west of 22 Road, including Fruita, Loma and Mack, as well as the three aforementioned schools in Fruita.

Burtard said Ute Water crews currently are working to expose the domestic waterline to assess the damage. There is no estimate yet as to when water service will be fully restored.