Site ready when new pumps arrive
The city's new electric pumps for getting water from Luta Creek haven't arrived, but when they do, they'll be immersible, City Administrator David Mayfield said.
New electric lines have been set in, installed, to accommodate the pumps, he added. Concrete bases, in the water, are in place for the pumps, too.
The bases will prevent silt from getting into the pumps, he said, since they will be higher than without the bases.
In the future, when Marion goes back to using Marion Reservoir water, if a problem with that water arises, the city can "flip a switch" and go to this backup water intake and delivery system.
"We should be able to make the switch, either way, in 10 minutes," Mayfield said, referring to switching from the reservoir to the creek or vice versa.
If a drought situation arose, the city could turn on its well near Antelope to feed the creek "forever," Mayfield said.
A mile upstream, north of where the city is currently drawing water from the creek, there is a floodgate. When closed, in a flood situation, it diverts water around the town.
It, too, has helped to decrease the quantity of silt in the creek, he said, by holding it back.
"We don't plan to use Luta Creek forever," Mayfield said. "We hope to go back to using the reservoir when it's OK."
A floating barrel tied to the intake keeps it out of the mud. This was the brainchild of a city employee.
"Our employees have worked tirelessly," Mayfield said. "It's an amazing feat," he said, describing how well the workers have risen to the challenge of handling the water situation of the past three weeks.
Workers check the pumps every half-hour, Mayfield said.
