Helicopter delivers three 6,000-gallon water tanks to Clark County youth camp

The closure limited vehicle and foot traffic near the helicopter’s flight path, and the crew had to clear a few people from closed trails before the operation began.

The helicopter hovered over the sports field where a crew attached a tank — one at a time — to the helicopter’s harness. The operation caused significant noise throughout the park, prompting the crew and nearby bystanders to wear ear protection.

The 107-acre property’s water system is aging to the point it no longer meets drinking water requirements. Camp Hope has been without a long-lasting water system since mid-April when construction began. The camp offers summer camps and outdoor schools and rents the area for day and overnight use. A temporary water tank was implemented to keep facilities running.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Camp Hope Executive Director Karen Phillips said in a phone interview.

The previous water system had only one 3,800-gallon tank and was installed around the 1980s, Phillips said, when the camp was formerly known as Girl Scout Camp Juliana.

The property has long used a well for drinking water. Although the well itself meets standards, the state now requires chlorination for certain water systems, county spokeswoman Joni McAnally said. The system also needed a flow meter and other electrical upgrades.

Chlorine is added to water systems to disinfect harmful microorganisms, which can lead to illnesses, such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and more. Chlorination is also used for “taste and odor control, iron and manganese removal, and to stop nuisance growths in wells, water pipes, storage facilities and conduits,” according to the Washington State Department of Health.

“We expect the lifespan (of the new water tanks) to be 50 years or more,” McAnally said.

Public Works is not only replacing the current water tanks, but a crew is also updating the piping and water distribution system and installing a sanitation system under the guidance of Clark County Public Health and the state health department.

During Wednesday’s operation, the main road off Northeast Lewisville Highway leading through the park closed from the Grand Fir shelter past the Hemlock shelter all day. Areas surrounding the sports field and Filbert and Knotty Pine shelters were closed in the afternoon, which included a few trails and playgrounds.

Public Works stopped accepting park picnic shelter reservations several weeks ago for the beginning of July. Those who had existing reservations were contacted about the potential impacts.

“There was one picnic shelter reservation for this day,” McAnally said. “Our staff contacted the reservation party, and they decided to keep their reservation despite the helicopter and closures.”