| 1/27/2009 9:26:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Hot springs pipe may deliver at 113 degrees
by Christopher Kolomitz
Mail Managing Editor
New pipe in a segment of line carrying water from Poncha Hot Springs five miles west of Salida may deliver it to Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center at about 113 degrees.
That would be hot enough the water would require cooling - something that hasn't been necessary for years at the Salida landmark on U.S. 50.
Ever since completion of the $1.8 million installation of 6-inch ductile-iron pipe in late 2001, water delivered to the pool has been less than hot. Monday the water in the small pool was 99 degrees and the lap pool was 84 degrees.
It's latest episode regarding the 71-year old pool and its pipe which transmits water from a 140 degree collection point.
The route used for the ductile-iron pipe includes a section through cold, standing groundwater beside U.S. 50 and the pipe is poorly insulated.
Salida eventually sued engineers behind the flawed design and won $325,000.
New engineers for the city explained to city council members Jan. 20 the route, new type of pipe to be used and their cost projection.
In August the city was awarded a $425,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to help replace the inadequate pipe.
Added with $100,000 budgeted earlier, the city has $850,000 to replace about 18,000 feet of pipe.
Engineers from Schmueser Gordon and Meyer recommended using 4-inch high-performance, high density polyethylene pipe. Cost of material would be about $53,700 with installation estimated at $459,000.
Engineers estimate an approximate temperature loss of 27.9 degrees if the pipe is buried four feet and soil surface temperature is 20 degrees.
Adding rigid foam insulation above the pipe would increase total cost about $45,000 and reduce temperature loss by about one degree, engineers said.
In their recommendation, engineers said pre-insulated pipe is expensive to install and addition of rigid insulation should be an option in the bid for contractors.
The 140 gallon per minute flow from the hot spring source will be pressured at 100 pounds per square inch and should keep the pipe full, meaning less temperature loss and greater flow delivered to the pool, engineers reported.
The new route
Engineers propose the new pipe follow much the same route used in 1938. New pipe would tie into existing ductile iron along U.S. 50 west of the CR 111 intersection.
Local surveyor Bob Biglow is assisting engineers with the specific route and reported easements will be necessary from at least four land owners, the Town of Poncha Springs and Western Power Authority.
"The key here is to get (the pipe) high and dry," Biglow said.
Some pipe would be buried in the power line right of way and the city would need an easement from surface land owners, officials said.
After leaving the power line right of way, the pipe would enter other private property and cross a section of the Hutchinson Ranch where two hay meadows would be bypassed to avoid disruption.
Next steps for officials are to contact property owners and secure easements, something which delayed installation of pipe in the late 1990s.
"No shovel should be turned until all easements are secured from end to end," councilman Hugh Young said at the Jan. 20 meeting.
Engineers will continue to prepare construction documents and fine tune design.
Once design is complete, bid documents can be drafted and advertisement for bids can be done.
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