Crews rush to stanch flow from Seaside water main

Published 4:00 pm Monday, February 16, 2004

SEASIDE – Thousands of gallons of fresh water bubbled out onto East Second Avenue after a main water line broke sometime this morning.

Public Works water crews were on site at 9 a.m. to begin repairing the break. At press time, crews were not sure how extensive the damage was. The overflowing fresh water was not a health hazard and circled almost immediately back through a storm drain into the water system.

“We’re really not sure yet, because we haven’t gotten to look at the pipe yet,” Water utility worker Benny Davis said. Davis and other public works employees estimated that the break may have happened either because the pipe is old or ground shifted, creating a crack.

Employees said that, depending on the break, they may install a full-circle circumference band, which will encompass the entire circumference of the pipe, acting like a clamp to stop the overflow of water.

Crews plan to complete the pipe repair today and will maintain one lane of traffic on Second Avenue at all times. They hope to be able to repair the pipe without shutting the water off, but depending on the break, they may have to. Crews will attempt to notify all affected customers, but in an emergency, may not be able to reach every one.

“Until we dig down and find out what’s down there, we’re not sure,” Davis said. “Right now, we’re waiting to find out where underground utilities are, so we don’t get into that. Then we’ll get to work on the repair.”