Temecula Water Main Break At Old Town Front Street: Businesses Close

TEMECULA, CA — A water main broke overnight in Old Town Temecula as Ranch Water tested lines repaired from a leak earlier Thursday, a spokesperson told Patch. Businesses and roads were closed, and detours put into place from Old Town Front Street to 6th Street during the repairs, which were expected to be complete by 6:30 p.m. Friday, Rancho Water said.

Without water, Penfold's Cafe was forced to close at 11 a.m. Thursday, according to owner/manager Nick Love, who was forced to send 140 seated customers home. Penfold's Cafe and Bakery, the Venti Old Town Shopping Center eateries, and the Old Town Post Office closed for much of Thursday and most of Friday during the repairs.

Road closures and detours remained active at 10:30 a.m. Friday during the repair work between Old Town Front Street, at the north entrance to Old Town, and 6th Street.

Shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, Rancho Water answered the call of a water leak at Moreno and Old Town Front Street.

Rancho Water spokesperson Kimy Wall said waterlines were shut off for repairs. Around midnight, the water main broke at Old Town Front Street and Moreno Road during testing, she said. She said the water remained shut off to businesses throughout Friday. Once workers confirm there are no further leaks, the asphalt will be repaired, she projected around 6:30 p.m.

"Crews and equipment are on site and making the appropriate repairs," Wall said. Those repairs could take between two and 12 hours. Once they are complete, the pipelines will slowly be recharged, which could take another two to three hours. Then, the road underneath will be repaired.

"Pipelines will then be disinfected and flushed, and during that time, you may see hydrants open and running water," they said. This process takes an additional two to three hours. Once that process is complete, the water will be fully reinstated to customers.

Love talked with Patch about shuttering Penfold's Cafe and Bakery right before the lunch rush on Thursday.

"I had a full restaurant and people waiting for tables outside. I had to send around 140 people home," Love told Patch. "Then, as Rancho Water tested the lines around midnight, the water main broke. We've been told things should return to normal by 5 p.m.," he said. "It's tough (to close) this time of year, as it's one of the busiest weeks for us."

During the water main incident, the Temecula Old Town Post Office and all Venti Old Town Plaza businesses were closed for over 24 hours.

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