Western Springs Busy With Main Breaks

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs has responded to 10 main breaks so far this year, with crews going underground for repairs in near zero-degree weather, an official said Monday.

At a Village Board meeting, Village President Heidi Rudolph thanked the workers.

"The same people who are trying to take down the holiday lights are the same guys in the ground with the water main breaks. So just put it all in perspective," Rudolph said.

In all of 2024, the village experienced 74 main breaks, a big increase from the 34 in 2020, Rudolph said.

The number has been increasing over the years, with an "odd dip" in 2023, she said.

"They don't discriminate," Rudolph said. "They are everywhere throughout the community. They just don't happen from nine to five."

More than half the breaks have occurred on water mains that were installed before 1940, she said.

She also noted a particular issue in Western Springs: Some breaks are occurring on recently rebuilt streets.

"So we're going in and having to tear up a road that we just put in," Rudolph said.

The usual practice of towns is to replace water and sewer mains when they rebuild streets. But village officials say they haven't had the money to do that.

On April 1, local voters are set to decide on allowing the village to raise property taxes to cover $45 million in debt for infrastructure.

In 2023, the village paid an engineering firm to determine which roads and sewer and water mains need replacement. Those that need all three are priorities, according to the village.