Water update

The water situation remains well in hand as the traditionally high demands of summer get underway.

Public Works director Amber Al-Haddad reported both reservoirs to be in good supply, helped along by rainfall earlier this week. After a hot, dry spell at the month’s start, the upper of the city’s two reservoirs had dropped by around three feet, she said. The change in weather has since brought about a reversal of that.

“We’re looking pretty good,’’ Al-Haddad said.

Following an emergency shortage brought about by production difficulties in

2016 and a reservoir level scare at the end of this past winter, the City and Borough of Wrangell has been more conscientious about its water levels and production. A set of emergency response measures were adopted by its assembly last year and additional emphasis lately put into detecting and repairing leaks in the distribution system to reduce waste.

Public Works have had a pair of line breakages to contend with recently, with one pipe on St. Michael Street near the pharmacy rupturing. Workers dug up a section of the hillside road to make the repairs before putting in a temporary patch.

Another break near the local Salvation Army property has been more difficult to suss out. As late as Tuesday staff were still surveying the grounds in search of the leak’s source.

Another potential break will be investigated later this week, Al-Haddad said, with leak detection specialists being brought in to test out the lines near Ash Street. Residents nearby have complained about low water pressure lately.

Meanwhile, the town’s aging water treatment

plant has been keeping up with demand so far, thanks to an extra hand temporarily taken on for the summer season. Demand tends to rise as Wrangell’s two seafood processors step up their production, though use at the community’s harbors also sees elevated use. The temporary staffer adds to the plant’s current crew, which has three employees split between both the water and sewer treatment facilities, plus helps out with various deferred maintenance tasks.

While things seem to be running smoothly at the moment, Al-Haddad reminded utility users to be mindful of their water usage.

“The better we treat our resource, the longer it’s going to be around,’’ she commented.