An Oak Ridge Public Works Department crew repairs a broken water line underneath Northwestern Avenue near Nevada Circle at lunchtime Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. The crew here is supervised by Oak Ridge Public Works Department Utility Line Maintenance Crew Chief Michael Brown. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Oak Ridge crews have responded to 35 water main breaks since January 1, an average of about five per day, City Manager Mark Watson told City Council members on Monday.
There could be more water line breaks as the temperature warms, Watson said.
The city is plotting the water line breaks on a map for more comprehensive repairs.
Cast-iron water pipes can break when the ground shifts as it freezes and then thaws in cold winter weather. [Read more…]
