12/27/16 update 11:45 a.m. – Pioneer Trail in South Lake Tahoe reopened and the water was turned back on at 1:00 a.m. this morning after a car struct a fire hydrant on Frontier Court Monday evening.
South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) was at the scene until 3:00 a.m.
Garth Butz, acting underground repair water supervisor for STPUD and his five-man crew got the call at 7:45 p.m. and were able to shut the water down at the main by 8:30 p.m. Due to public safety, they couldn’t shut it down any sooner, and waited until South Lake Tahoe Police were able to close nearby Pioneer Trail. Butz said it was safer for the public to have flowing water in sub-freezing temperatures since once the water is turned off it turns to solid ice.
The hydrant was broken at the bottom where it connects via a T-valve to the water main. STPUD had to shut off the water to the whole area to fix it, including filling back in the area with dirt. They will return at a later date to replace the hydrant.
According to Chris Stanley, Manager of Field Operations for the District, anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 gallons were lost as the broken valve is 6 inches wide and ran for almost an hour.
“We are more concerned with safety in this situation,” said Stanley. The amount of water is a calculated guess he said.
The 18-year-old local driver of the car was uninjured. Driving at speeds too high for conditions is to blame according to SLTPD Lt. Dave Stevenson.
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Pioneer Trail is closed at this hour from Al Tahoe Blvd. to Ski Run Blvd after a car crashed into a fire hydrant, spewing water onto the roadway in freezing temperatures.
South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue responded to the 7:40 p.m. call after the car crashed into the hydrant on Frontier Court. No one was injured but it created quite a mess.
South Tahoe Public Utility District crews turned off the water for the surrounding area so they could get to the main valve and replace it.
South Lake Tahoe Public Works crews are also on the scene, spreading a sand and salt mixture to reduce the chance of ice since temperatures will be remaining below freezing all night with a low of 11 degrees expected.
According to SLTFR, Pioneer Trail should be open around 11 p.m. Monday night.
Residents should expect their water back on about the same time.