GUERNSEY – A much-anticipated ending of water restrictions is finally possible this week – pending results expected today (Tuesday, Oct. 8) on a Bac T test (bacteriological test). If the test is negative, Guernsey’s water will be able to switch back to the permanent tank which has been refurbished over the summer.
While Guernsey’s public works director Mike Fronapfel had hoped to make the transition by the end of September from the temporary bladder tank to the town’s million-gallon tank, a Bac T test came back positive. Fronapfel said, though he had people tell him they didn’t care – they simply wanted to finally water their yard, “I’m not taking the chance of contaminating the whole system when all that has to be done is wait a week.”
While the bacterial tests typically come back negative in Guernsey’s water, it is not surprising it did in that first test, Fronapfel said. “Anything could have happened. Dust could have gotten on the lid of the tank – or any other number of things – during the sanding and re-lining of the tank.”
To mitigate the bacteria, the water in the tank was chlorinated thoroughly, and also overfilled to “ease my mind” if there were contaminates on the lid that may have been the issue, Fronapfel said. After final flushing and being refilled, another Bac T test was conducted Monday, which is anticipated to be negative.

“I understand people wanting to be off water restrictions so they can water their yards. I do too – my yard has also suffered [from lack of water],” Fronapfel said. “I want to make sure the whole system is clean.”
In 2019 a matched funding grant from the Wyoming Water Development Commission was obtained by the town to improve the water system in Guernsey. Multiple delays, including some from Covid shutdowns, prevented the project from being started until last year, but the project was finally undertaken before the grant expired.
Over the past year, a new pipeline was installed from the town’s multiple wells to the water tank, where there could be a single disinfectant point before being released into the residential water system, as well as addressing maintenance issues in the system. Another benefit anticipated is a more consistent water pressure, as the water system is improved to benefit the community’s health, welfare, and quality of life.
Because of the timing of construction around winter weather, the timeframe of the tank renovation happened at an inconvenient time for residents in Guernsey. In June, residents were informed of strict water restrictions for the remainder of the summer since the water system would be coming from a temporary bladder tank with less than half the capacity they were used to.
Though the town council was questioned by residents several times during their meetings over the last few months, it was emphasized there was nothing that could be done to change the restrictions. The entire council, and the town itself, were also on the same restrictions. The only exceptions were places which had water from a private well, which is why the golf course was able to be watered normally.
Fronapfel emphasized in June, he was worried about failure of the pumps if the wells were having to run constantly to meet increased demand if restrictions were loosened, which would be a financial disaster for the town. In July, he also said he was thankful to the residents for following the restrictions and commended them for “doing a good job” keeping their water usage down.
Hopefully, the lawns, flowers, and trees will be able to have a good drink this week before they go into fall dormancy.