The recent combination of heat and dryness in Emporia has not helped the city’s underground utilities network, especially when it comes to water service, but Public Works Director Dean Grant says there are other factors at play and the city’s water line network is in a lot better shape than it may first appear.
Grant tells KVOE News water use typically increases in the summer months, and that’s holding true this summer.
Grant also says the city has been proactive, both in maintaining its water lines and in funding future needs. The same can’t be said in other cities. It’s part of what Grant calls an “infrastructure epidemic” that’s nationwide.
As of 10 am Tuesday, Emporia had almost 10 water main breaks since Saturday — all near the eastern city limits, including eight on Weaver between Sixth and 11th. Grant says it’s notable to have that many water main breaks on a five-block stretch of water line, and he says the recent issues may make Weaver Street a priority zone for a line replacement project. The city has been prioritizing two work zones — ongoing work on a 24-inch line from the Water Treatment Plant to Prairie and eventually affecting most of West 12th as well as the so-called southeast transmission line to improve service leading to the water tower near South and Carter.
In an interview with KVOE News this week, Grant thanked Public Works employees and contract crews for their work to get service restored as soon as possible for affected residents.
Separately, Cottonwood Falls initially reported “many” water main breaks on Friday followed by another one Saturday. Public Works Manager Scott Gumfory says there were six breaks all told after investigation and repairs. Gumfory tells KVOE News the repairs were completed within eight hours or less in all those cases.
