Grand Canyon: Skimpy Budgets, Park Leaders Faulted as Waterworks Decay

"When Theodore Roosevelt designated the Grand Canyon a national monument in 1908, he called the colorful, mile-deep gorge "the one great sight which every American should see."

Americans have followed his advice. The Grand Canyon -- now a national park -- had nearly 4.8 million visitors last year alone, making it the second most-visited park, behind the Great Smoky Mountains.

But Grand Canyon utilities that provide drinking water and treat sewage are failing and need urgent repairs, according to an internal report and former employees.

Grand Canyon water systems were built by park concessionaires during the Great Depression. The last major upgrade to the drinking water utility was completed 55 years ago, when visitation levels were four times lower than today."

Corbin Hiar reports for Greenwire November 19, 2015.