It took close to 12 hours of inspection, excavation and repairs, but Emporia’s Public Works Department got a major water main break fixed in northwest Emporia.
Department Director Dean Grant joined KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast to update residents Monday:
Grant says a 20-inch line blew a 10- to 12-foot hole in the top of the nearly 100-year-old pipe when it ruptured near the MainStay Hotel parking lot at the end of Candlewood Drive. Upwards of three million gallons drained away, causing a drastic drop in water pressure citywide and putting the city “on the clock” for a potential boil water alert but that didn’t happen, thanks to quick action to isolate the general area of the leak.
Grant says this was anything but a standard water main repair.
Water service was fully restored by 6 am, or about 12 hours after the issues began. Grant says Public Works and a contractor excavated around the failure site before getting to cut out the affected pipe.
The line that failed was close to 100 years old. Grant says Emporia is no different than other communities, large or small, that wave old underground utilities. He says Emporia has done a good job of recognizing the issues and building repairs into the budget.
5 am Monday: Repairs finishing soon on northwest Emporia water line
The goal is still to have a northwest Emporia water main repaired by 8 am Monday after it failed Sunday evening.
Public Works Director Dean Grant says a 20-inch line blew a 10- to 12-foot hole in the top of the pipe when it ruptured near the MainStay Hotel parking lot at the end of Candlewood Drive. Issues with water pressure were first noted in the immediate vicinity shortly before 6 pm and later were reported citywide to KVOE News.
Initially, the thought was a nearby 16-inch line was the pipe that failed, but Grant says additional excavation confirmed the larger line was at the heart of the problem.
Once the line blew, an impromptu waterfall and river went north from Candlewood Drive around Presbyterian Manor and into a residential neighborhood between the care facility and Interstate 35. Despite low water pressure across town, city officials say the pressure is strong enough — above 20 pounds per square inch — so people can drink it safely without boiling. City officials have encouraged residents to not wash clothes or dishes overnight until the line is repaired.
9:15 pm Sunday: Water announced as safe to use and drink after northwest Emporia water main break
Emporia city officials are asking residents to hold off on “unnecessary” water use during the overnight hours, but they believe the repair process is off to a good start after a major water line break Sunday evening.
The break apparently developed near the intersection of Candlewood Drive and Industrial Road shortly before 6 pm, sending water cascading in at least a 20-yard sheet down a hill past Presbyterian Manor and into the residential neighborhood just east of the care facility.
The goal, as of now, is to have the line repaired and operating by 8 am Monday. Assistant City Manager Lane Massey says pressure is low across town, but he says the water is safe to use and drink at this time.
Boil water notices are issued when water pressure goes below 20 pounds per square inch. Massey says the pressure across town has been between 30 and 70 psi.
Public Works Director Dean Grant tells KVOE News crews had a general isolation zone between the Water Treatment Plant near 24th and Industrial and the 18th and Prairie intersection. Crews had to isolate both the 20-inch and 16-inch line between Kentucky Fried Chicken and Presbyterian Manor, but they opened up the 20-inch line shortly before 9 pm. Excavation work is set to begin shortly.
8:30 pm Sunday: Major water line break sends water cascading past Emporia’s Presbyterian Manor
A major water main break is immediately impacting busy parts of northwest Emporia, but the ripple effect is stretching across much of town.
The break apparently developed near the intersection of Candlewood Drive and Industrial Road, sending water cascading in at least a 20-yard sheet down a hill past Presbyterian Manor and into the residential neighborhood just east of the care facility. The size of the affected line is currently unclear — there is a 20-inch and 16-inch line in that area — and the number of business or residential outages has not been announced.
Water pressure is reported offline as far away as 12th and Exchange and low near 10th and Weaver.
Assistant City Manager Lane Massey says the break was isolated around 7:30 pm. The goal is to begin excavation work soon and have the break repaired and operating by 8 am Monday. In the meantime, Public Works Director Dean Grant is urging residents not to use water unnecessarily, including dishwashing or clothes washing, until the leak is repaired.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
