04/03/2008: "Water Flowing at Courthouse Again"

Water service was restored to the San Juan County Courthouse at 4:05 p.m. Thursday, according to Building and Grounds Manager Bud Sears. A plumber from Bellingham plumbing contractor Northwest Plumbing started work to repair a leak in a newly laid pipe in the ceiling over the office of Sheriff Bill Cumming shortly after Noon.

The pipe had been re-routed into the ceiling earlier in the week to replace a leaking two inch pipe that was the conduit for all water used in restrooms and drinking fountains in the Courthouse. The first leaking pipe, located under the concrete building slab, was practically unreachable. Today’s leak was easily accessible, although water in the courthouse system had to be drained and repressurized several times before the repair to the leak held.

Sears said that his maintenance crew would leave the ceiling pipes exposed and the portable toilets in place for a few more days to make sure that there are no further problems,
The latest leak was discovered by Sheriff Cumming this morning. Water caused considerable damage the walls and ceilings in his office, but there does not appear to be serious damage elsewhere. Water to the courthouse was shut off shortly after 9 a.m. this morning.

County employees have had to use bottled water and portable toilets, or walk across to the County Legislative Building to use restrooms most of the day.

The previous leak, in pipes laid more than 10 years ago when the Sheriff’s office was added onto the Courthouse, forced water to be shut down for more than a week.