Grand Canyon National Park lifts water restrictions at South Rim

PHOENIX — Grand Canyon National Park lifted its water restrictions at the South Rim as levels returned to normal on Monday, officials announced.

The Level 2 measure went into effect July 22 after a valve installed at Pipe Creek failed and the Transcanyon Pipeline couldn’t be fully pressurized, National Park Service said in a press release.

The measure required concession operations to switch to disposable dishes and utensils, adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning and serve water at restaurants only when requested.

It also included a complete cutback of watering plants or washing cars, filling the sink with water while washing dishes and shutting off water while teeth were being cleaned.

Crew have been working to repair four leaks along the Transcanyon Pipeline on the North Kaibab and Bright Angels trails since July 19.

Water at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile rest houses will remain shut off until the damaged pipe above the rest house at Mile-and-a-Half is repaired, the release said.

Officials said repairs will take several weeks, with the water being shut off at a minimum until Aug. 16.

Hikers and backpackers were advised to carry plenty of drinking water or be able to treat creek water for drinking use.

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