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Pipeline Break, Pump Failure Cause Grand Canyon Water Shortage

South Rim of the Grand Canyon
(Photo by Amanda Solliday - KAWC)
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

If you plan to visit the Grand Canyon, be prepared to pack your own water. A break in the Transcanyon Pipeline and failure from a pump at Indian Garden mean areas at the South Rim are experiencing a water shortage.

Grand Canyon public affairs specialist Emily Davis said their number one priority is to provide water to hikers, but there are two places where you will be on your own.

“There will be drinking water for hikers on the Bright Angel Trail,” Davis said. “We will have drinking water for people at Phantom Ranch, as well. Anybody that’s going to Cottonwood Campground or Manzanita, though, should be prepared to treat or filter water from Bright Angel Creek.”

Davis said South Rim residents must also monitor water usage by taking shorter showers and turning off the water when brushing teeth or shaving. The park also asks that residents don’t water their lawns or wash their cars for now. Davis said the break in the pipeline should be repaired within a few days, but the pump likely won’t be fixed until next week.

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Katy Burge was an intern at KJZZ in 2016.