Alamosa continues to recover from water crisis
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
Flushing and testing of Alamosa's water distribution system to rid it of salmonella continues. The city has no estimated date of when the “all clear” will be given by state officials. As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been 343 total cases of salmonella reported, 91 cases by lab tests and 13 hospitalized.
The El Pomar Foundation of Colorado Springs announced Wednesday that it is making $40,000 in grants to nonprofits affected by the Alamosa water crisis. The recipients include: San Luis Valley chapter of the American Red Cross ($10,000), La Puente Home ($15,000), Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley ($10,000) and Valley-Wide Health Services ($5,000).
Mayor Farris Bervig is thanking members of his community for their response to the water crisis. The city has repeatedly made requests for specific donations. City Market donated and distributed 22,000 Clorox wipes and donated 5,000 bottles of hand sanitizer for distribution. Businesses have also allowed employees to take time off work to donate their time to assist. Chili’s, although remaining closed to date, has continued to pay employees’ wages and is encouraging staff to volunteer their time to distribute water. Matt Whipple, Chili’s employee and distribution volunteer said, “You don’t know how often you use water until you don’t have it.” All told, 812 volunteers have given 3,447 hours of assistance.
Investigators still have not figured out how salmonella got into the city's water system in the first place. A new water treatment facility is expected to become operational in June, with testing expected to begin in May. The new plant will include a chlorination process. Chlorine was used to flush the city's system.
