Kathy Lundborg, the City Hall water manager whose seven years in Park City were marked by an expansion of the waterworks system as well as a well-publicized bout with discolored drinking water, will leave the municipal government in October.
City Hall on Wednesday announced her departure, which is scheduled on Oct. 21. She has been the water manager since 2004. She is a key figure in water issues like conservation, quality and resources, all of which have long challenged Park City leaders.
The waterworks network in Park City encompasses an intricate system of pipes, pump stations and other infrastructure that pushes water to the highest elevations of the city. Officials have long said it is a highly complex system for a city the size of Park City since there are such dramatic elevation differences.
“Is it a tough job? Yes. It’s probably the toughest job I’ve ever had,” Lundborg, who is 41 years old, said.
She said one of the difficult issues waterworks officials face in Park City is the arid climate. The climate necessitates significant conservation efforts. Another she talks about is Park City’s reliance on underground sources like mining-era tunnels for drinking water. That type of source is more susceptible to contamination, and Park City has repeatedly dealt with discolored or contaminated water.
During Lundborg’s tenure, discolored water affected the Thaynes Canyon neighborhood twice, once in 2007 and then again in 2010. The discolored water received widespread publicity and sent people searching for bottled water.
Lundborg said the upcoming debut of a water pipeline from the Rockport Reservoir is critical in preventing similar episodes. The reservoir water does not come from an underground source like a tunnel, meaning that there will not be similar contamination problems.
“I think we’re in better shape now,” she said.
The pipeline from the Rockport Reservoir is expected to begin operating in early 2012, she said. She said the progress on the pipeline and an associated water-treatment plant off S.R. 248 are the most significant accomplishment during her time at City Hall.
Lundborg said she will leave the Park City area. She plans to move into a motor home to travel in the United States and possibly Canada. She said she has enrolled in a doctoral program in a field known as wisdom studies.
In a prepared statement released by City Hall, City Manager Tom Bakaly credited Lundborg with securing new water sources and adopting new technologies for the water system.
City Hall intends to appoint Clint McAffee, the municipal water engineer, as the interim water manager on Oct. 24. Park City Manager Tom Bakaly said the permanent position will not be advertised immediately.