Heat a possible factor in water main break
EUGENE, Ore. - A broken water main cut water to 34 businesses and apartment buildings downtown, and workers said that the heat could have been a factor in what broke the corroded pipe.
The 16-inch water pipe broke around 3 a.m., Lance Robertson from the Eugene Water and Electric Board said. EWEB estimated that over a million gallons of water were lost during the break.
Thirty-four EWEB customers -- mostly surrounding businesses and apartments -- lost their water service because of the break.
The broken water main pipe had was over 60 years old and had visible evidence of corrosion, EWEB officials said.
A worker at the scene told KVAL that when the ground dries out like it has in the recent heat, pipes and lines are put under strain and can sometimes break. Officials said that the heat could have contributed to the break.
Repairs are expected to keep the intersection of 18th and Pearl closed until mid-afternoon on Thursday. Northbound traffic also is being detoured around the intersection of Oak and 18th until water and debris are cleared from the roadway.
The broken water main flooded nearby streets before EWEB crews responded and shut off water, most of which flowed into storm sewers and the nearby Amazon Canal.
I drove by at midnight and, later rubbernecked around, it was pouring out of the sidewalk. This didn't happen at 3:00 AM.
oh look...now they have a reason to raise the rate. something happened and they had to spend money we've already paid them to maintain the system. Just reminds me of gas prices.Â