Triple-digit temperatures coupled with an increase in water usage led to three water main breaks in the Wichita area late Thursday afternoon at the intersections of Douglas and Hampton in Eastborough, Maple and Martinson, and Glendale and English. As of 8:30 a.m. Friday, all breaks had been fixed and asphalt patches put on the damaged areas of road to make them safe to drive on until a contractor makes permanent repairs.
Water Utilities staff was notified of the breaks late Thursday afternoon. During the morning and afternoon hours and when it is especially hot outside, demand for water typically increases. Also, extreme heat and extreme cold cause pipes to shift in the ground. Both are reasons why water mains may break. Since Monday, demand for water throughout the city has been steadily increasing with the temperatures, nearing 100 million gallons a day for the first time this summer.
The break in Eastborough involved a two-inch pipe, the size of pipe that accounts for the highest percentage of leaks. To make the City’s water service even more efficient and reliable, a major program is underway to replace two-inch and two-and-a-half-inch pipes around Wichita with larger pipes of at least six inches.
During repairs to water mains, which typically take four to six hours, water service is shut off to homes and businesses in the vicinity. Once city workers arrive at the site, they do not leave until water service can be fully restored. To minimize service interruptions and damage to streets, people are reminded that if they see a water main leak to call the Water Utilities’ 24-hour emergency line, (316) 262-6000, as soon as possible.
Back to Top