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Elyria officials say main breaks doubled this fall; lead-service replacements continue
Summary
The city reported 33 water main breaks from September–November 2025 versus 17 the prior year and said Phase 5 of lead-service-line replacements has begun; city officials described the breaks as largely cold-weather splits in older pipe.
Elyria’s water department told council on Dec. 1 that the city has experienced a marked increase in water-main failures this fall and that a multi-year program to replace lead service lines is ongoing.
Larry Rothkary, the city’s water department representative, reported 33 main breaks for September through November 2025, compared with 17 in the same period last year. Rothkary said the newer pattern includes more cold-weather splits and that breaks are scattered across older neighborhoods rather than concentrated in one block. “For the most part they are pretty spread around,” he said, adding that older pipe and temperature fluctuations likely contribute to the increase.
Rothkary also updated the council on the city’s lead service-line replacement program, saying crews have “touched” about 1,350 properties to date and the city has entered Phase 5 of the project. He said Phase 5 includes many addresses in the Saint Jude’s area and some remaining work in the Old Heights neighborhood.
Law Director Dirie and Safety Service Director Pajanowski supplemented the report, noting the program has required extensive paperwork and coordination to secure state loans and federal funds. Dirie praised staff who helped prepare applications and said Elyria has positioned itself to access available funding opportunities for remediation work.
Council members asked whether the water-plant operations or pressure changes might explain the spike. Rothkary said plant operations were broadly unchanged but that small pressure changes, tower fills and winds that affect lake conditions could influence the timing and type of failures. He described the recent pattern as an “odd fall” with a combination of stresses.
The council did not take a formal vote on the report; no additional program funding or policy change was adopted at the meeting. Officials indicated they will continue replacements and monitor main-break trends through the winter.
Next steps: the water department will continue Phase 5 replacements and report updates to council as work proceeds.
