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A main break flooded the basements of properties, temporarily closed streets and halted water service on several residential blocks of west Aspen on Thursday.
“Everything is under investigation right now,” said Jake Spaulding, battalion chief with the Aspen Fire Department, standing outside in ankle-deep water after having spent more than three hours on the scene. The break occurred around 5 a.m., said responders and people living in the area. “We’re just trying to get cleaned up and get the roads open.”
Fewer than 10 properties lacked water service heading into the evening, said a city of Aspen official. That included St. Moritz Lodge on West Hyman Avenue, but the ownership was managing the situation.
“We have bought water bottles for as many people who want them, and we bought gallons of water so people can flush the toilets and so the [housekeeping crew] can go clean the rooms,” said Michael Behrendt, owner of the St. Moritz Lodge, around 2:15 p.m.
Guests of the lodge were “all being very patient and we’re making things work,” he said.
Officials said the freeze-and-thaw spell of late in Aspen — with overnight low temperatures in the mid-teens and daytime highs reaching the low 40s — was a plausible culprit. The main break sent water intended for nearby properties gushing onto the streets.
Pools of water and slush, with some debris, built up on the streets and alleys as crews worked the morning clearing and cleaning the area. Partial closures to traffic on West Hopkins and West Hyman avenues and South 2nd and South 1st streets were lifted later in the day.
“Crews are still investigating the cause and any damages,” said the city’s director of utilities, Justin Forman, in an email response to questions from the Aspen Daily News. “Typically, this type of water main break is caused by differential settlement in the soil which stresses pipe. This can occur around this time of year when freezing and thawing temperatures lead to ground movement, putting additional stress on the pipes and resulting in breaks.”
Water service was anticipated to return to the affected properties by the evening, Forman said.
“Our crews will continue to work until water is restored to the affected area,” he said.
It did not appear any of the properties were evacuated because of the main break, according to Forman. The city gave impacted residents bottled water during the interim.
“Currently staff are still investigating potential impacts of the water main break,” said his email, which was sent around 4:15 p.m. “At this time, we are unaware of any properties that are uninhabitable.”
The St. Moritiz did not flood but that could not be said for other properties. The basement flooded next door at 312 W. Hyman Ave., where a woodframe home is being redeveloped. Assessing the basement was Adam Rothberg of Rotherberg Development Inc., which is leading the project.
“All of our tools are in here,” he said, wading through the water hoping to salvage some of the equipment.
Behrendt seemed to take the main break in stride.
“It does remind me of the 1960s,” he said of the temporary setback. “It’s a pain but these things happen and they were here, all hands on deck.”
Responders to the call came from across the board, Forman’s email said.
“The city’s Utilities Department extends its gratitude to Aspen Fire, Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District, Aspen Police, Aspen Streets, private businesses and community members for their support in managing the water main break.”