And no water for more than half of Butterfield residents
The string of sub-zero degree days this winter season in Minnesota has wrought havoc on many underground water lines, with cities facing a plethora of water main breaks, and some even asking their citizens to keep a small stream of water running from the faucet in their home in order to prevent additional breaks.
A water main break in Butterfield, the second this season, forced Butterfield-Odin Public School Superintendent Lisa Shellum to release students from school one hour early today (Tuesday, February 18) and to cancel classes for tomorrow (Wednesday, February 19) – because more than half of the city is without water.
Unlike the first leak last Monday, February 10, which kept Butterfield Maintenance Manager Brandon Winch from attending the Butterfield City Council meeting, but which was an obvious above-ground leak and easy fix – today’s leak is more of a mystery – with no visible leaks apparent above ground. It was a morning telephone call from the Red Rock Rural Water System – which supplies water to the City of Butterfield – that brought attention to the fact that the city’s water consumption had spiked.
Crews immediately began digging, isolating various parts of town and shutting down various valves in an attempt to pinpoint the source of the leak. As of yet, the leak has not been detected, but it was noted that it was putting out 400-to-500 gallons a minute. A Twin Cities company will be coming to assist in tracking down the leak.
