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Water main break near surgery center caused low pressure and discoloration; officials say no boil order needed
Summary
City officials said a water main break discovered early Saturday caused temporary low pressure and some discoloration in portions of the system. After monitoring SCADA data and pressure readings, staff decided a boil-water order was not required.
A water main break discovered early Saturday near the surgery center led the city to issue a conserve-water notice and dispatch crews, but officials said they determined a boil-water order was not necessary.
The city's utilities director told the council that crews identified the break after monitoring the SCADA system and field checks beginning around 3 a.m., and located it by about 8 a.m. “At some point on Friday, we had a water main break. We identified it on Saturday morning,” the director said. Crews called out to inspect streets and creeks, and staff communicated with residents and local businesses including Walgreens and Walmart after those sites reported low pressure on fire systems.
The director said officials saw some discoloration and turbidity in the system consistent with a main break and the direction of flow from the break location. Staff reviewed automated sensor data and other sources and “presented information … and said that a boil order was not needed,” the director said. The record includes a referenced text from a local staffer, Cole Moore, that placed pressure in an affected area at about 34 PSI; officials noted that pressure falling toward 20 PSI is where greater concern normally arises.
Council members asked who authorizes a boil order; the director replied that the decision is made by Chris Horstman (recorded in the discussion as the responsible official). The director said crews remained on duty through the afternoon as a related storm prompted additional field responses: line crews cleared limbs on a north-area circuit, and sewer staff addressed high manholes. Monroe County Electric and transmission-line issues affected some north-town power service during the storm, officials said.
Officials emphasized that the response was routine and that staff would re-evaluate if new data indicate a change in water quality or pressure. The council did not take any formal vote related to the water-main incident during the meeting.
The director said the city had notified homeowners along the affected route and planned follow-up communications; residents with continuing concerns were asked to contact city dispatch for updates.
