(MT) – The “Boil Water” restriction in Rhododendron was lifted Dec. 2, but the
good news spigot is not completely turned on – not yet.

Homeowners and businesses hooked up to the Rhododendron Water
Association received the notice Nov. 22 (Mountain Times, December issue)
after a 200-foot Douglas fir came loose of its roots and slammed into the
filtration facility on Henry Creek.

RWA officials went to work patching up the filtering system and water users
are now temporarily free of the bother of boiling.

But Steve Graeper, president of the RWA, warned that the situation is
temporary.

“Because of the destruction of the plant, we may need to issue another Boil
Water notice at some time in the future when we take the plant off line to
rebuild,” he said. “Notice will be given well in advance.”

Graeper also pointed out that the cold weather that has greeted the new year
will be taxing to the already fragile filtration plant.

“While we are currently able to produce enough safe drinking water to meet
our demands, our filtration plant is only operating at about 50 percent
capacity and sometimes less.”

To RWA water users, this means that as the weather warms and pipes begin
to thaw, it will be important to be conservative with water use as broken pipes
place a huge demand on the system.

Graeper asks that everyone check their homes and cabins for broken pipes
and to get them repaired as quickly as possible. The association will be
repairing any main line problems as they occur or as soon as the ground
thaws, but any leaks should be reported to Mt. Quail Business Services at
622-5560.

“Until the plant is rebuilt and new filters put on line, everyone will need to be
as conservative as possible,” Graeper said. “We are working with the
insurance company and have ordered the new building, filters, and other
damaged equipment, but we will have to wait until all items are shipped and
delivered before we can begin to rebuild.”

In the meantime, it would not be a bad idea to begin to store safe drinking
water in the event another Boil Water period comes gushing Rhody’s way.