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Groups supply water to Walsenburg as water main break remains unlocated

The American Red Cross, Molson Coors and Salvation Army are delivering water to Walsenburg residents after a water main break prompted a boil advisory, according to a news release from the American Red Cross on Monday.

The organization stated the unlocated break that occurred at 2 a.m. Friday continues to cost the city an estimated 1,000 gallons of water per minute.

The last update on the city of Walsenburg’s website was on the day of the break, which states there is no estimated restoration time.

Residents lined up at a water tanker outside the Huerfano County Community Center Monday to fill up buckets and containers, Gazette news partner KOAA reported. The tanker was one of only a few water sources available in the area.

The city did not respond to a Gazette request for an update on Monday.

The Red Cross release states the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management contacted the organization on Friday due to Walsenburg’s location and population creating “urgent humanitarian needs.”

The three organizations have supplied 10 pallets of canned drinking water to Walenburg residents since Friday.

The boil advisory instructs residents using water to boil it for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes.

The situation prompted Huerfano School District RE-1 to close Walsenburg Junior Senior High School and Peakview Schools on Monday and Tuesday, according to their website.

Also, in recent days Colorado Parks and Wildlife partnered with Walsenburg and Huerfano County officials to give access to hot showers at nearby Lathrop State Park for community members.

Parks and Wildlife said both shower facilities at Pinon Campground support year-round camping and were open through a phone reservation system for free, according to KOAA.

Residents were able to make reservations for 30-minute time slots by calling 719-738-3000, ext. 512.



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