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Resident asks Schererville to investigate alleged driveway damage after October water‑main break; town weighs independent engineering
Summary
A resident told the council that an Oct. 25 water‑main break flooded his property for about four hours and caused driveway upheaval; public‑works staff said they throttled the main on arrival and recommended caution because potential litigation was threatened and causation remains unconfirmed.
At the Schererville Town Council meeting on May 13, resident Chris Orth described significant damage to his driveway and yard that he says was caused by a town water‑main break on Oct. 25 of the prior year, and he asked the town to pursue remediation and to hire an independent engineering review.
Orth said the main ran for about four hours before it was shut off and that the escaping water lifted sections of his driveway, creating tripping hazards for family members. He told the council he had shown photographs to several civil‑engineer colleagues who told him high hydrostatic pressure could cause the kind of damage he described.
Town staff response: Public Works Director Chad Nandorff said crews throttled the main when they arrived, reducing the line pressure from about 50–60 psi to roughly 30 psi, and that waiting for utility locates contributed to the duration the line flowed. Nandorff said he had not personally reviewed Orth’s photos and indicated that town staff can conduct further review but that discussion with the resident should be limited if litigation is threatened.
Town Manager Jim Gorman and others said the town had held an on‑site meeting and that staff would need to confer with the resident about next steps. Orth requested that the town consider hiring an independent engineer; staff noted the town had paused substantive discussion after litigation was threatened but indicated they would confer and determine an appropriate path forward.
Status and next steps: Councilmembers asked staff to follow up and to determine whether an independent engineering assessment is appropriate. The meeting record shows the council acknowledged the concern and agreed to discuss next procedural steps with the resident; no remediation or financial commitment was approved at the meeting.
Quote: Orth said, "When that water main went off, the water rushed out down the street like a river as well as underneath my driveway...the entire driveway is lifted by about an 8 inch."
The town’s comments were limited in public session because of the potential for litigation; the council indicated staff would confer with the resident and return with recommended next steps.
