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Full water service was restored to Garberville Thursday, Nov. 19, following a three-day emergency caused by failure of the main pump that pulls water from the South Fork Eel River for treatment and use in town.

Residents were asked to limit water consumption after breakdown of the pump was discovered Monday morning. They were cautioned to use washers and dishwashers only when absolutely necessary, with full loads to optimize water use.

At approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, according to Garberville Sanitary District Operations Chief Ron Copenhafer, the pump motor’s bearings failed and the pump seized up. The failure was reported at 10:30 a.m.

GSD staff immediately began pumping from an older well located on the Tobin property, but this well can provide only 35 gallons per minute, about 35% of Garberville’s normal daily demand at this time of year, Copenhafer said.

Additionally, Redway Community Services District provided water, which was hauled from Redway to Garberville by Sidonie’s H20 To Go trucks. Copenhafer estimated that GSD was receiving approximately 50,000 gallons per day from Redway. RCSD Operations Manager Ken Dean estimated Redway’s contribution at a lower figure, 60,000 gallons total as of Wednesday morning.

Only last month RCSD lifted the summer-long mandatory water conservation measures required because of drought conditions and problems with its infrastructure.

Parts needed to repair Garberville’s pump came from a supplier in Oregon. Due to a trucker’s error, the shipment was delayed a day, resulting in delayed repairs.

REDWOOD TIMES PHOTO BY SUSAN GARDNER

Garberville’s water intake pump failed Monday, Nov. 16. Garberville Sanitary District staff removed it from this location on the South Fork Eel River for repairs, which were completed Nov. 19.