Many Colorado communities are still reeling from the devastating flood this fall. One such community, Loveland, is dealing with the aftereffects of a distressed water system that was left damaged from the flood.

The Denver Post highlighted this story in an article earlier this week. As a direct result of the flood’s damage, eroding river banks were getting closer to the area’s 48-inch water transmission line, which was the last pipe of three main lines that bring treated water to the town. It was determined that the best solution would be to force the river water away from the pipe. Something drastic had to be done, so it was decided to bring in trees to lie across the channel to create a dam to divert the river.

After that was complete, it was discovered that the transmission line that was thought to potentially be damaged was surprisingly untouched. This recovered line is not completely in the clear however. When it became exposed, it lost some of its protective lining, so digging it out and repainting it now a priority.

This project illustrates the importance of protecting our water lines and the service they provide to each of us. While it’s easy to forget these “buried” lines, what they provide is not so forgettable because of the precious resource that is delivered – water.