Posted: 3/10/06
Two water main breaks keep city hopping on Thursday
 North Branch was forced to close one of its busiest crossroads on Thursday to repair a water main break. Crews started digging in the early afternoon and the job was complete around 6:30. A few residents were without water for a couple of hours. Anyone with questions regarding their water quality can call the city at 674-8113. |
By Patrick Tepoorten
Not one but two water main breaks affected North Branch residents Thursday, leaving a very busy intersection closed for most of the afternoon and evening, and some residents without water for about two hours.
According to Wayne Blodgett at North Branch Water and Light, the first of two main breaks the city was forced to repair occurred at the intersection of CR-30 and Hwy. 95. Blodgett received the call that the 8-inch steel main had burst just before noon. Crews closed the intersection, dug down to the main and replaced the broken section, completing the job around 6:30 Thursday evening.
While the downtown main was being repaired, a report of another break, this one at 8th Ave. and Elm Street, made another repair necessary just a couple of blocks away. That second break, which occurred around 2 p.m., was repaired by roughly 3:30.
Blodgett said that having to deal with two water main breaks is not that common. ìItís the first time since Iíve been here,î he stated. He attributed the breaks to the frost thaw, explaining that it causes earth to shift, putting additional pressure on pipes and on occasion causing breaks like those experienced in North Branch on Thursday.
Affected residents should consider running their water for a time today, especially if they notice a brown tint to it. If residents need assistance flushing their water systems, call North Branch City Hall at 674-8113.
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