Water service has been restored to a busy downtown Emporia block after a line failed Friday afternoon.
Public Works Director Frank Abart says all service in the 700 block of Commercial was restored before 9 pm, roughly four hours after Underground Utilities crews began excavating in front of The Gun Den and about six hours after water began running in a gutter on the east side of the street.
Abart says there was a failed compression connection in the 10-inch line.
Because the water line was plastic and installed in 2009, Public Works initially considered other reasons for the water issues as more likely than a line failure. Abart says it is not clear why the line failed.
All businesses in the 700 block of Commercial had their water shut off during excavation and the first round of repairs. Final repairs, including street pavement, are set to take place Monday.
5:30 pm Friday: Water main break forces adjustments for part of downtown Emporia
A water main break will likely affect part of downtown Emporia after temporary repairs are finished, perhaps by late Friday night or early Saturday.
A 10-inch line failed Friday afternoon in the 700 block of Commercial. Initially, Public Work anticipated some other issue because the water line was installed in 2009 and was plastic, meaning it should be less susceptible to breakage than clay or iron pipes elsewhere in town. However, an initial investigation showed the line did fail. The nature of the failure is being determined.
Underground Utilities crews are excavating and plan to make preliminary repairs by late Friday. Water service in the 700 block of Commercial will be shut off during the first round of work and parking on the east side of the street is being occupied by Public Works trucks and heavy equipment.
Final repairs, however, will have to wait until Monday.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates.
