More Water Woes For City

The aging process for Kimball's old water system is showing again.

This time it happened when a small leak in a 1-inch waterline under 2nd Street, which goes to the fire hall, became a big problem.

City crews tried to turn off a water valve Friday at 2nd and Chestnut streets so they could make repairs, but the valve broke and started spewing water, Mayor John Morrision told the Observer.

He said since all the water was going into a sewer and not damaging businesses, the decision was made to not shut off water to businesses because of disruptions that would cause over the big Kimball-Banner County Fair weekend.

City crews were able to make repairs late Monday and early Tuesday after installing two temporary emergency valves on 2nd Street waterlines on both sides of Chestnut, which enabled them to shut off water after daytime businesses were closed.

"It was all hands on deck," Morrison said, noting that street, electric and water crews all pitched in. So did police with traffic and safety control.

The leaking pipe and faulty valves were replaced.

Next up for crews was filling holes that were made to get to the waterlines and then repairing the streets.