Pipeline Allows Farmers Affected by Mine Spill to Irrigate Again

BACKGROUND

Navajo farmers were impacted by the Gold King Mine spill because the contaminated wastewater flowed into the San Juan River, which supplies the tribe’s irrigation canals. Within days of the spill, tribal officials issued restrictions for using river water to irrigate crops. Restrictions were eventually lifted for irrigation purposes in certain chapter areas. After a month without irrigating their fields, a chapter called on Rain for Rent to develop a solution.

OUTCOME

Rain for Rent provided the tribe two 12” pumps to pull water from the San Juan River. With two pipelines, 5,000 gallons of water per minute was pumped to the irrigation location a mile from the river. Safety precautions were taken by placing Spillguards and Traction Mats under the pumps. PipeStax were used to support the pipelines.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Rain for Rent responded quickly to setup the project in the tight timeline. The job walk started the Friday before Labor Day, and the pipeline was operational by the end of the long weekend. Rain for Rent worked over the long weekend to ensure water could be delivered on time.
• Farmers in the area have water available to irrigate their crops until the end of the season.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Many people in the area have written off their crops due to the spill. With the effective and efficient help from Rain for Rent, farmers were able to salvage their crops despite the disruption created by the mine spill.

*Rain for Rent are also actively assisting the heavily publicized mine spill with The EPA and our partners Omni Filtration.

❮ Previous CaseNext Case ❯