Water Mains Continue to Break
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: February 9, 2011
ODESSA -- Water main breaks continue to be a problem across the Permian Basin.
Utility crews in Odessa alone have responded to 45 breaks since the end of last week and have fixed 23 of them.
The intersection of 42nd and Dixie was under water into Wednesday because of a water line break. Portions of the water froze overnight Tuesday because of the low temperatures making it very slippery and dangerous.
I talked with some people in the area and they said they still had clean water in their homes. But they added that they wouldn't be surprised if it got shut off soon whenever utility crews arrive to fix the problem.
Many water mains are breaking because the change of temperature is making the pipes contract and expand, which wears down the pipes. Since a lot of these pipes are 30 to 60 years old and are made from concrete or cast iron, it's easy for them to crack.
Crews have been working overtime on the situation -- some without very much sleep -- but they're asking for your patience as they try to fix the pipes.
With 22 breaks still to be fixed and possibly more breaks to come, crews are doing their best so that everybody can have clean water.
Utility crews in Odessa alone have responded to 45 breaks since the end of last week and have fixed 23 of them.
The intersection of 42nd and Dixie was under water into Wednesday because of a water line break. Portions of the water froze overnight Tuesday because of the low temperatures making it very slippery and dangerous.
I talked with some people in the area and they said they still had clean water in their homes. But they added that they wouldn't be surprised if it got shut off soon whenever utility crews arrive to fix the problem.
Many water mains are breaking because the change of temperature is making the pipes contract and expand, which wears down the pipes. Since a lot of these pipes are 30 to 60 years old and are made from concrete or cast iron, it's easy for them to crack.
Crews have been working overtime on the situation -- some without very much sleep -- but they're asking for your patience as they try to fix the pipes.
With 22 breaks still to be fixed and possibly more breaks to come, crews are doing their best so that everybody can have clean water.
