Residents asked to report suspected breaks.
The recent stretch of extreme high temperatures with no rainfall has led to water line breaks throughout the city. Crews are working diligently to make repairs and restore water services to affected areas.
Water line breaks occur when the ground becomes dry and begins to constrict and crack placing added stress on buried water lines. This stress causes movement in the earth supporting pipes leaving them vulnerable to breaks.
Each break is different in location, line size and severity. Breaks occur at all times of day and night and can take a few hours up to a few days to repair.
Many breaks are able to be fixed “hot,” which means that water pressure is not reduced while the repair is made. Some breaks require turning the water off and result in the issuance of a boil water notice.
Once the water line is repaired and service restored, City crews often must move on to another break leaving sites in need of clean up. Crews will return to finish this work when workload permits.
Pipe breakages are expected to continue as temperatures remain high with no significant rain forecasted. The public can assist the City by reporting suspected breaks, which are typically characterized by large amounts of water running down streets or water spraying into the air. Reports can be made 24 hours a day to 501-6500.
Motorists may encounter water crews at work and are asked to use caution when maneuvering around work areas.
