Cold Weather Likely Culprit for 3 Water Main Breaks

Birmingham's Water Department continues to work into the evening to fix three water main breaks around the city.

The breaks were at the intersections of Bates Street and 14 Mile, Adams Road and Abbey Street and on Baldwin Court. As of 4:30 p.m., repair work continued at two sites but (DPS) Director Lauren Wood said crews will continue to work into the evening until repairs are completed. 

The first set of workers was sent to Baldwin Court, said Eugene Folk, DPS water foreman. By 5 p.m., crews were finished and the water was turned back on for residents on that street—most of whom, several said, "didn't even notice the water was turned off" because they were at work.

Folk said DPS began receiving reports of the water main breaks between 7-8:30 a.m. Although it's rare for three breaks to occur so close together, Folk said Wednesday's breaks are not connected.

Workers began at Baldwin Court first, Folk said, because workers had to shut off water for six homes on that street until repairs were finished. Homes at Adams and Abbey will be without water during repairs, however those living near the intersection of 14 Mile and Bates will not have their water turned off at all because of the location of the main, Folk said.

If your water is going to be turned off during repairs, Folk said a DPS representative will alert you at your home beforehand.

The city sent out a notification around noon Monday, advising residents that when water is restored after repairs, it may be discolored—a rusty, red-brown color, Folk said. There have been reports of the rusty-colored water —discolored because it has picked up material in the water main—near 14 Mile Road. This water is safe for drinking, Folk said, though residents are advised to run the cold water tap for a few minutes until it runs clear.

If the water is still discolored after 15-20 minutes, Folk said to contact the Water Department at 248-530-1722.

Birmingham usually experiences around 30 water main breaks per year, Folk said, with a little more than 20 breaks last year. Today's breaks makes for 19 this year. Folk said city crews are continously working to replace faulty or old mains to ward off problems.

Though Folk couldn't say for sure the cause of Monday's breaks, weather is a factor. Cold water from the Detroit River and cold air temperatures cause pipes to shift and contract during the winter.

Folk said many of those out fixing the water mains are also responsible for city snow removal, so the department has been stretched thin all day.

"These guys are real good at what they do," he said. "But you never know what you're up against. We're overloaded right now."

Repairs can take only an hour, Folk said, or they may take all day depending on the problem. A water main break on Fairway Drive on Sunday took workers more than six hours to repair, he said.

Plus, all that snow and frost can be deceiving. When a water main breaks, he said, water seeps up through the ground and appears on the surface. When this happens on a busy street—such as the —it's easy to find the source. However, when it occurs in a neighborhood with snow on the ground, the water may encounter a layer of frost when trying to rise to the surface. It may then flow underground for any length before finally reaching the surface, Folk said, leading workers on a wild goose chase for the original source of the break.