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Water main break on East Second Street
Thursday, June 28, 2007 11:04 PM EDT
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| Darrin Blythe and David Fryman, employees of the Maysville Utility Commission were busy Thursday morning repairing a broken water main on East Second Street in front of J.C. Everett Hardware. -- Terry Prather/Staff |
According to Darin Spence, distribution foreman for the Maysville Utility Commission, the break occurred shortly after 6 a.m., and water was turned off in the area by 6:30.
Water was back on for those 17 customers affected by about 2:30 p.m., according to Utility Commission Manager Eddie Wenz.
Additionally, the street was closed to traffic between Limestone and Market streets and was rerouted onto McDonald Parkway. One side of East Second Street remained closed after the break was repaired due to the hole dug by the utility crew.
Spence said the break likely occurred because of the drought the area has been experiencing. When there is no moisture in the ground, Spence said the ground will shift, causing lines to breaks. Spence said the pipes located in the downtown area cannot take that kind of shifting. Many in the area -- including the one that broke -- are close to 100 years old, he said.
"If it doesn't rain soon, we're going to have a lot more problems," Spence predicted.
Spence said the break will not be as difficult for the crew as a break that occurred at a similar time last year only about half a block away. That break, located at the corner of Second and Limestone streets, was more difficult Spence said because it occurred in a street crossing.
A major problem encountered by the utility crew repairing last year's break occurred when they struck a telephone and Internet service line while digging to reach the pipe. Spence said the crew had to wait until representatives from the telephone and gas companies came to the location Thursday to mark where the lines were located before the crew began digging.
"It doesn't hurt to be a little cautious," he said.
Orange markings on the street indicated where the various lines were under the ground, and blue markings showed where water lines intersected with the main.
Spence said the break was delaying the establishment of new service along Kentucky 8. One man in the area, Spence said had been waiting for new service for a couple of months, but the crew was running behind.
A 24-hour boil water advisory is in effect for those whose water was turned off.
According to Wenz, the cost to repair the line and the street was about $1,500.
Wenz said one side of the street will remain closed until the street is fixed. He said he anticipates the street will be fixed prior to the Fourth of July parade on Wednesday.
"We've got a little work still ahead of us," he said.
While the water main was being repaired, Spence said the commission was supplying bottled water to some businesses in the area, including Lasting Impressions Salon & Spa.
Patti Carpenter of Lasting Impressions said she understands the break was something beyond the city's control, and appreciates the water provided. Carpenter said the business did not have to cancel any appointments because of the break.
"We are trucking along," she said. "The bad days help you appreciate the good ones."
Contact Misty Maynard at misty.maynard@lee.net or 606-564-9091, ext. 274.
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