Bill for trucked-in water could reach at least $20,000

Large mineral and sand deposits clogged the filtering screens and casing of the well, said Steve Gehl, president of Louviers Mutual Service Co. Tiny video cameras were sent down the well pipes to investigate the well.

Water tankers started coming in Aug. 16 to support the system, because the underground aquifer water was unavailable.

The well was shut off for examination and repair. For more than a week and a half, it cost Louviers $2,000 a day to pump water through the system from the water tankers. Residents were allotted less than 60 gallons per day.

In the meantime, The Louviers Mutual Service Co. and the water board distributed flyers to keep people updated. They requested that people not water their lawns. They also asked people to bathe at friends’ houses outside Louviers, flush toilets less often and collect rain to water house plants.

Residents shared tips on how to save water, said post office attendant Neta Graf. Mothers have been bathing their children all together instead of individually. Most people have put off doing their laundry and washing their cars. Some have been straining their dish water to help flush toilets.

The Snyder family said they have been trucking water from outside the town for their horses.
“We also bought bottled water for the house because the tap water tasted moldy,” said Kelly Snyder. “We’re really limited on the amount of water we can use. It’s a pain in the butt, so we’re hoping it’ll all be fixed soon.”

A memo Friday warned that daily water usage was increasing too much again.

“Unfortunately, as long as people have water coming out of their faucets, it’s hard to remember or resist,” Gehl said. “But it’s coming out at a hefty price.”

The county was not contacted for several days because Louviers Mutual Service Company and the local board thought they could handle the situation.

Then Douglas County Public Works Department dropped off two, nonpotable 6,600-gallon water tankers in case a fire broke out. For several days, the emergency preparedness division of the sheriff’s office brought in a drinkable 400-gallon water trailer outside the town club house.

Two pump installers from Colorado Pump were cleaning the rusty pieces all last week.
Each household can expect to pay about $20 per day for import of the water. There will be a town meeting soon to decide exactly how the cost will be covered.

Although the past two decades have brought a significant decrease in the well water level, this month’s problem was unrelated, Gehl said.