PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Water System

Until June 1980, the Phoenix Indian Health Service did the testing for the monument's water system, testing the water for organic, inorganic, and radiological factors. In July 1980, Herr struck an agreement with Kaibab National Forest for its certified water plant operator to monitor and maintain Pipe Spring's water facilities. The monument's water was tested regularly. A tri-annual inorganic water test was performed as well as biweekly bacteriological testing. Also during 1980, the line-shaft water pump on the monument's well (built in 1973) was replaced with a submersible type pump. In 1980 a two-inch PVC high pressure water line by the fort broke, creating a minor flood. No shutoff valves were shown on current drawings of the water system so staff had to close the main valve at the storage tank. Later someone remembered a buried valve in a field. It was located, dug up, and closed, solving the problem. The valve was then marked on water system drawings for future reference. Two days later a four-inch PVC line broke in the same area, requiring repair. The monument's 500,000-gallon water storage tank, located on the reservation near the Park Service well, was re-covered in 1980 with one foot of sand and surrounded by a corrugated steel fence to keep the sand from eroding away.

During 1981, there were several major breaks in the high pressure water line behind the visitor center, which led to some rerouting of the lines. The fire hydrant was relocated at the end of the line instead of being "dog-legged" 20 feet to the east. [2292] An attempt was made to reinstall the large water meter behind the visitor center. Several broken pipes later, the meter, meter box, and 20 feet of six-inch main were replaced. In 1982 A new six-inch water main was installed to the residential and utility areas. This enhanced fire protection and increased water pressure to the areas. [2293] Regional Archeologist Adrienne Anderson was on site during trenching to provide Section 106 clearance for the project.

In order to make "as maintained" utility drawings more accurate, Denver Service Center Engineer Ron Oney visited the monument twice in 1984 to help survey and put in place new markers.