Water flows, but foothill residents told to conserve

Yuba County foothills residents are being asked to continue to conserve water even though a temporary water source has been found for a pipe that broke in the foothills days before Christmas.

North Yuba Water District General Manager Bill Suppa said the district has a pump and a temporary line from Woodleaf Lake to supply the nearly 900 users affected by the pipe break. The broken pipe is located in a rural area near the lake.

"We know life goes on," he said. "You still have to wash your clothes and take a shower, but we're asking that activity be kept to a minimum."

The North Yuba Water District serves customers in Challenge, Brownsville, Rackerby and Forbestown. The break occurred Dec. 22 in one of the district's pipes in the Challenge area.

Suppa said the temporary line was installed New Year's Day and crews continue to work in the affected area to get the break repaired.

What caused the pipe to break is still under investigation, Suppa said. It could take up to two weeks to repair the pipe.