Community Alert [7/29/2024]
** Effective July 31, 2024 at 10:30AM the boil alert for this area has been lifted. **
Dear Residents,
During the construction of the new park, a contractor accidentally knocked a fire hydrant off its base near the end of Marlboro Street. This incident caused a phenomenon known as water hammering, where a sudden stop in water flow creates a pressure surge in the pipes. Unfortunately, this pressure surge led to two main water line breaks.
The first main break occurred on the park side of Lancaster Street, just north of the hydrant that was hit. The second main break is located at the intersection of Marlboro Avenue and Matthews Avenue. Due to these breaks, water service has been shut off in the surrounding area until repairs can be made.
The Lancaster main break is near underground data lines, requiring a specialized repair technique called hydrovacing. This process involves using water to safely excavate around the sensitive data lines and will take longer than standard repairs.
We do not yet have an estimated time for repair completion, but residents should plan to be without water for at least 24 hours. Once water service is restored, residents in the affected area are advised to boil their water before using it for at least 48 hours as a precautionary measure.
In addition to the water line repairs, we must address potential subsidence in the affected areas. Subsidence occurs when the ground sinks or settles, often due to water erosion or pressure changes. To ensure safety, we will need to cut out the affected areas of the roads and temporarily fill them until permanent pavement can be installed.
We understand the inconvenience this may cause and are working diligently to restore water service and complete the necessary repairs as quickly as possible. Your safety and the integrity of our infrastructure are our top priorities.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. We will keep you updated on the progress of the repairs and when water service will be restored.The map included here shows the approximate locations of the damage to the water system. It also highlights road closures in yellow. If you live on the closed roads, you may still travel to and from your home just be careful of our crews working to repair your water. The roads are closed to all other traffic.
