Hotels on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, might reopen this coming weekend/David and Kay Scott file

Hotels on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park might reopen by this coming weekend, according to park officials.

The hotels were forced to close last Thursday due to multiple breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline that provides the South Rim with water from a spring below the North Rim. The breaks in the 12-and-a-half-mile-long pipeline have made it impossible to pump water to either the South or the North rims, a park release said.

Crews have "completed essential repairs and the waterline was successfully repressurized," a park advisory said. "The park is actively monitoring the system to ensure repairs hold and that no new breaks occur following repressurization and regular water flow. It will take multiple days of successfully pumping water without issue to restore enough water capacity in the park holding tanks to be in a position to transition down to Stage 3 water restrictions.

"We are optimistic that, barring any further complications, we will be able to resume regular water services and full-service overnight lodging by next weekend."

For the time being, the following conservation and safety measures are in place in the park:

• Dry Camping: Only dry camping will be permitted. Spigot access at campgrounds on the South Rim will be turned off, though faucets in bathrooms will remain operational. Water spigot access will be available at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk.  
• No fires will be allowed on the South Rim and inner canyon areas. Fire restrictions prohibit all wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques. For more information on fire restrictions, visit the park’s Fire Information webpage.  

• Operational Services: The park will remain open for day use. All South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office will remain open. The North Rim's Grand Canyon Lodge, and other North Rim visitor services such as the Campground, will remain open. 
• Backcountry hikers will need to carry all the water they'll need or have ways to treat water along the way.

Originally built in the 1960s, the Transcanyon Waterline provides potable water for facilities on the South Rim and inner canyon. The waterline has exceeded its expected lifespan and experiences frequent failures, which require expensive and continuous maintenance work to repair leaks. Since 2010, there have been over 85 major breaks that have each disrupted water delivery. The National Park Service recently started construction on a multi-year, $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline and upgrades to the associated water delivery system. This crucial investment in infrastructure will ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for six million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents. 

The project is expected to be completed in 2027. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) is providing more than $40 million to replace the South Rim Wastewater Treatment Plant which services visitor, staff, lodging and support facilities. GAOA is part of a concerted effort by the National Park Service to address extensive deferred maintenance and repair needs in national parks.