Water main breaks haven’t hit the Emporia system nearly to the degree they did in late August and mid-September, but the city’s water watch remains in place and will get a little extra emphasis the next few days.
Emporia Public Works crews fixed a break at 15th and Thompson on Wednesday. They also did a second round of repairs for a line on West 12th between Graphic Arts and Hatcher.
City Manager Trey Cocking says he’s pleased with the slowdown in the waterline breaks and related traffic adjustments since the city decided to flush hydrants in northwest Emporia as a way to balance pressure issues ongoing since a rehab project began on the East 12th Avenue water tower. The project continues — as have the pressure fluctuations.
With temperatures set to be 90-plus into the middle of next week, Cocking is expecting a higher-than-normal water demand. He’s reminding residents the water watch remains in effect until further notice, and he’s asking residents to step up their voluntary conservation measures. The city has already asked residents to avoid outdoor water use between 4-8 am while the water watch continues.
