A water pump failure that neutralized Watson Lake's fire hydrants Monday is nearly fixed, averting a potential disaster, according to the town's manager.

"It looked like a real crisis was going to develop," Colum McCready, chief administrative officer for Watson Lake, told the Star this morning.

"But it's actually on the way to being resolved right now."

At approximately 3 p.m. Monday, the southeast Yukon town's primary pump cut out, leaving the community of 1,600 with limited water pressure and its fire suppression system useless.

"Both pumps together pump 1,200 litres per minute, and we were down to half that, and the reservoir couldn't keep up," said McCready.

"So our main worry really was in case of a fire. That's why we had to get a backup water tanker in here from (the Department of) Highways and Public Works, who very kindly came to the rescue."

Gravel clogging the two pumps which service Watson Lake is a constant problem, said McCready. And with the breakdown happening so close to the holidays, getting a repair crew posed the next challenge.

"No contractors were available on the verge of Christmas, but the Deptpartment of Community Services were able to make contact with one contractor," he added.

On Tuesday, Whitehorse's Aqua Tech Supplies and Services answered the emergency call and worked through the night to resolve the problem.

McCready anticipates Watson Lake's water system will be running at full strength by early this afternoon.

"Mark Robinson, (Aqua Tech's) man, used to work for us years ago," said McCready, who described the repair job as a "major operation."

"This same pump gave us problems back in 2004; lots of gravel built up inside the pump and caused it to seize," McCready added. "So it was great Mark came out because he knows the system very well."

While the town can satisfy its water needs with two pumps, McCready said there are two additional pumps out of action due in large part to gravel buildup in the lines.

"We're actually working with Community Services to have a new filtration unit built here so we can eventually use the other two wells."