What to know about the pipeline that brings water to millions of Grand Canyon goers
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona — Four major breaks in the water mains that serve the Grand Canyon mean that visitors can’t stay overnight in hotels at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park during the Labor Day holiday.
Here are some things you should know about the Transcanyon Waterline.
The Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline is a 12.5-mile (20-kilometer) pipeline built in the 1960s that carries water from Roaring Springs on the North Rim to the Havasupai Gardens Pumping Station and then on to the park’s popular South Rim. It provides drinking water and firefighting for all facilities on the South Rim, as well as some facilities in the inner canyon, including more than 800 historic buildings.
The pipeline is the primary source of water for the approximately 2,000 permanent residents of Grand Canyon Village, park staff, other employees, and the millions of people who visit the national park each year.
The aluminum pipeline to the South Rim twists and turns around trails and through rocky terrain. The grit in the water scars the inside, creating weak spots that often break and leak. Each repair costs an average of $25,000.
The steel pipeline that runs to the North Rim dates back to the 1930s and is subject to falling rocks and freezing in the winter because it is above ground. A landslide in 2017 damaged the pipeline leading to the North Rim, costing $1.5 million to repair in two weeks. The lodge there canceled reservations and had to truck in water for drinking and firefighting.
The water main has exceeded its expected lifespan and is experiencing frequent failures. Since 2010, there have been more than 85 major breaks that have disrupted the water supply.
The problem has been at the top of the park’s maintenance list for at least a decade. Engineering studies have been conducted and a portion of the park’s entrance fees have been set aside to cover the costs.
The National Park Service recently began construction on a $208 million renovation of the waterline and improvements to the associated water supply system, which is expected to be completed in 2027.