Water Lines Burst Throughout Permian Basin
By: Jamie Kuras
Updated: February 4, 2011
ODESSA -- "Anytime there is an extreme change in temperature, pipes are gonna burst", said City of Odessa Public Information Officer Andrea Goodson.
That's the reality of the situation after pipes around the Permian Basin continue to burst under the pressure from swelling. With temperatures expecting to rise, this problem can get a lot worse.
Plumbers and utility crews are working hard to repair all breaks but they're asking for patience because of the high volume of calls they are receiving.
If there is a large amount of water in the street or in an alley, it is the city's responsibility to fix the problem. But if there's any large amounts of water in the house or backyard, the property owner is responsible for calling a plumber. And if you suspect that your pipes are frozen, the best thing you can do is turn off the water.
"If residents have been without water due to frozen pipes, it's highly recommended they turn their water off at the meter to prevent the pipes from bursting because if those pipes are frozen and water starts coming in, it's gonna contract and burst," said Goodson. "So it's probably just better to turn that water off at the main."
Keep in mind that water in the street can be very hazardous. With temperatures being so cold, water can turn to ice and make a very slippery situation.
Broken water mains can also weaken a road to the point of breaking down. With crews receiving so many calls, it's anyone's guess how long it will take to fix this watery mess.
That's the reality of the situation after pipes around the Permian Basin continue to burst under the pressure from swelling. With temperatures expecting to rise, this problem can get a lot worse.
Plumbers and utility crews are working hard to repair all breaks but they're asking for patience because of the high volume of calls they are receiving.
If there is a large amount of water in the street or in an alley, it is the city's responsibility to fix the problem. But if there's any large amounts of water in the house or backyard, the property owner is responsible for calling a plumber. And if you suspect that your pipes are frozen, the best thing you can do is turn off the water.
"If residents have been without water due to frozen pipes, it's highly recommended they turn their water off at the meter to prevent the pipes from bursting because if those pipes are frozen and water starts coming in, it's gonna contract and burst," said Goodson. "So it's probably just better to turn that water off at the main."
Keep in mind that water in the street can be very hazardous. With temperatures being so cold, water can turn to ice and make a very slippery situation.
Broken water mains can also weaken a road to the point of breaking down. With crews receiving so many calls, it's anyone's guess how long it will take to fix this watery mess.
