Can you dig it?

At the end of last summer we noticed a drop in water pressure that could only mean one thing--another break in the water line.

Water for the cabin is pumped out of the lake by a submersible pump 70 yards offshore via a 1 1/4 inch poly pipe that is buried 2-3' underground for most of the distance, emerging underwater below the lowest low water mark. The line is 30 or 40 years old and is getting close to the end of its useful life. I have repaired two previous breaks in the water line--one underwater (we detected it by noticing an unusual "up-welling" on the lake surface on a very calm day) and another close to the cabin (detected by a little stream that suddenly appeared).

This break was not as easy to spot. The summer ended with low water pressure and no idea of where the break might be. This spring I resolved to either find the break or replace the entire line. I made a trip in April when the lake level is near its lowest point. After turning on the water pump it didn't take long for a little stream to appear. The water was coming up in an area below the "full pool" lake level that is maintained during the summer months. This explained why we had not seen it the year before.

I started digging, but I did not have enough time to find the leak before I had to leave. (Was it the time or blisters that stopped me?)

Which is why restoring the water supply was my first task on Friday. Pictures of the dig have been posted. Suffice to say that after several hours of pick and shovel work and one trip to Ace Hardare in Polson we once again have running water.

Side note: After the water gets to the cabin it goes through a multi-stage filter and UV sterilizer to ensure a safe, clean water supply.

Today (Saturday) I am taking time to relax, regroup, enjoy the time with Betty (she is flying back to Oregon on Monday), unpack, and get organized. It is a sunny day and temps in the 70's are expected. Time for the first swim? Hmmm.