U.S. Water News Online
NAVAJO MOUNTAIN, Utah -- Trucks have been delivering water to an isolated, mountainous American Indian community near the Arizona border, and officials are worried that harsh weather could arrive before a pipeline is repaired.
"We can't quite figure out what is causing (the pipeline) not to work," said Rick Bailey, San Juan County administrator and director of emergency services.
For five weeks, four trucks carrying more than 22,000 gallons of water have made the 64-mile round trip to Navajo Mountain from Shonto, Ariz. The cost -- $5,000 a day.
It is a steep, rugged area near the Arizona border, where 97 percent of the 1,200 residents are American Indians.
The water shortage is a "pretty serious problem for these people," said Roger Hansen, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Provo.
The agency has been scrambling to get $75,000 to continue paying for the water deliveries.
The problem began in August when heavy rain washed away soil that covered the pipeline, which connects a spring to the town's water tanks.
The flood damaged about two dozen sections of water line. Despite repairs, water still won't flow, Bailey said.
"Our problem is going to be if they can't get this pipeline fixed and winter comes and it gets snowed in," he said.
The long-term solution is to build a pipeline stretching 30 miles from Inscription, Ariz.
The federal government is willing to provide $3.4 million but not until 2009. Navajo Mountain also would have to seek $400,000 in loans.
Besides water trucks, Navajo Mountain also is getting water donations from Wal-Mart and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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