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Power outage disrupted Bluff water-tank radio link on May 30; staff used manual override to restore service
Summary
A power outage affecting the library building caused a tank-to-plant radio communications failure on May 30, leading to low pressure for some customers. Town staff manually overrode controls, refilled tanks and restored service; full tank recovery took one to two days, and the water board will cross-train more local responders.
Town staff reported that a communication failure caused by a power outage at the library building on May 30 temporarily prevented the town’s tank telemetry from calling for water, producing low pressure for some customers.
Water operations staff said they investigated reports of low pressure, found the tank radio had lost communication with the treatment plant control, and placed wells on manual override to pump “full bore” and refill the tanks. Staff estimated pressure was restored to most customers within about an hour and a half; the tanks ran pumps continually and took roughly a day and a half to two days to return to a full condition.
Staff blamed Rocky Mountain Power for turning power off without notifying the town for a follow-up outage; the town said a prior outage had been notified but a later event was not. Town staff said they routed calls, physically checked tanks, and will expand training so multiple local staff and volunteers know how to operate overrides and check tank levels when the primary operator is unavailable.
Officials also said the town will encourage residents with water‑quality or service questions to contact the local Water Works board; staff can send customer blasts to update drinkability or service restoration status in future incidents. The council thanked water staff for the rapid response and said Water Works meets weekly and will continue outreach and training.
No formal council action was taken; the report was informational.
