Major Main Street water main break sends crews into overnight emergency repairs; city estimates near $7.78 million reconstruction cost

Centerville — A large, pressurized water main failed near Main Street in an incident that prompted overnight emergency repairs and led staff to seek immediate reconstruction work under emergency procurement provisions. Public Works Director Dave Walker described the break as an "explosion" of a 10-inch pipe that left no intact section in a six-foot span and said the city lost about 1,800,000 gallons during initial shutdowns. "It literally exploded about a 6 foot piece," Walker said while describing visible asphalt heave and pieces of pipe floating out of the break. Walker told council crews were able to confine the outage and prevent other neighborhoods from losing service, though two reservoirs were substantially drawn down. Staff reported a reconstruction and repaving estimate of about $7,778,000 to repair the broken main, storm drain damage and the intersection, including pipe restoration, asphalt replacement and manhole work; council was asked to approve moving forward promptly with a state-contractor that can mobilize quickly. Council members praised public works staff for rapid response and asked for more proactive planning to prioritize replacement projects on aging lines; staff said replacement schedules are lengthening due to cost and capacity constraints and that the city will prioritize segmented capital work and pursue possible funding options. Walker and other staff described next steps including emergency contracting for repairs, a planned timeline for construction mobilization within days, and follow-up reporting to council on costs and any funding sources identified.