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Water Main Break & Temporary Water Shut-Off Information
Water main breaks are unavoidable, CBPSD service department works diligently to make repairs as quickly and efficiently as possible. We understand it is a challenge for our customers when normal service is disrupted. We appreciate your patience while we work to respond and make the repairs needed to restore service to all of our customers. Our staff usually can NOT provide an estimated time to restore service to all customers because the pipe is in the ground, available parts, staff and possible contractors and weather conditions among other items. Also some customers may get water back sooner than others due to proximity to the leak location. Please don't continue to call for updated status - the water will be restored ASAP.
What is a Water Main?
Water mains are underground pipes that are responsible for carrying drinking water to homes and businesses. The pipes are a series of interconnected water mains.
What Causes Water Main Breaks?
Pressure changes inside a water main is the most common reason for a water main to break. Changes in the temperature, or thermal expansion and contraction cause water pipes to expand and contract as the ground around them freezes and thaws, sometimes causing the pipes to fail. Other factors contributing to water main breaks can include: Pipe age and material, nearby construction activity, normal water system operations, pipe condition due to corrosion, weakened structural integrity or normal wear and tear.
Why Did I Not Receive a Notice About An Emergency Water Shut-Off?
Water main breaks are unplanned and unpredictable- therefore CBPSD can not provide advance notice. However, if a water shut-down is necessary to complete routine or planned water infrastructure improvements, customers will be notified. Please make sure your phone number is updated with the CBPSD office staff and you can sign up for texts and alerts on this website.
Why Does The Water Have to Be Shut-Off To Make Repairs?
Often, the flow of water through a water main must be stopped to perform the repairs efficiently, thoroughly and safely.
How Does CBPSD Make A Water Main Repair?
Most often by removing and replacing the pipe section where a failure has occurred. In some instances, a repair clamp/coupling can be used rather than cutting out a section, which sometimes shortens the repair duration.
How Long Does It Take To Make A Water Main Repair?
The length of time required to repair a water main break varies significantly. There are many factors that contribute to how long the repair will take.
There Is A Water Main Break In My Area, And I Still Have Water, What Should I Do?
You may retain water because of your location and where your water "feeds" from. However, please conserve water to allow other customers with water to retain the water service. It is not uncommon to experience water discoloration or air bubbles/pockets in your location. These experiences generally are not cause for concern, but they may seem troubling. Minimizing your water use during a water main break may help to limit discolored water and air bubbles/pockets.
Why Is My Water Discolored During Or Following A Water Main Repair?
Water discoloration experienced during a water main break often results from mineral deposits on the inside of a water main or service line, also known as tuberculation, becoming freed from the pipe wall and traveling with the drinking water into your location. Generally, these particles are naturally-occurring in drinking water and are a nuisance but not harmful. To minimize the possibility of laundry discoloration, stained or clogged plumbing fixtures, please reduce your water usage and keep faucets closed until the water main repair is complete.
I Believe There Is A Water Leak- Should I Call It In - Even If Not On My Property?
Yes, please do so! CBPSD consists of over 112 miles of main water line and sometimes leaks are hard to find. It is usually much easier and faster to repair a small leak rather than wait for a line "blow-out." Not all water is a leak, sometimes it is extra surface water or run-off water from a nearby location, but CBPSD staff can check it out. It also helps to keep water bills as low as possible to find and repair leaks ASAP.
Instructions For Locations Once Water Is Restored:
When a water main is placed back into service after repairs are made, locations will sometimes experience water discoloration or "spitting" water from their fixtures- Discolored water is not harmful and will clear up by running your faucet(s) on cold water only at the lowest easily accessible point in your home/business until the water runs clear.
If after 24 hours your water is still cloudy or seems to have lots of air, please call our office and if after-hours, follow the automated prompts to be sent to the on-call employees phone. There could be air "trapped" in the line near you.
You may also need to clean the faucet screens (this is occasionally necessary even with no leak to remove mineral/calcium build-up) and the screen on your pressure reducing valve (aka pressure regulator). Sometimes if your regulator is old or has signficant build-up- you will need to replace it.
If you have water at some faucets/locations but not all or have lower pressure at some- check screens and regulator- it is something to do with your internal plumbing.
Should I Boil My Water Before Use?
CBPSD will attempt to notify you if staff believes the water supply has become contaminated as result of the leak (discolored water does not necessarily equate to contamination). Please make sure your phone number is up-to-date at the water office and you are welcome to sign up for texts and alerts at this website. IF a boil water advisory is issued, the CBPSD staff must take bacterial samples and depending on when the leak occurred and the contracted test labs operational hours- the boil water advisory will be in place for a minimum of 24 hours.
However, you are advised to use your own judgement, if you feel more comfortable with boiling water for all consumption after a leak repair, regardless of whether a boil-advisory is issued- then it is recommended to do so for 24-48 hours minimum.
You can get directions on the process by searching the internet.
Will I Be Contacted When The Repair Is Complete And Service Is Restored?
Usually No. Depending on where the leak is at and the time of the break and or repair- our staff is usually not able to provide such notification. CBPSD staff is small- so if the service department is repairing the leak or taking air out of the line after the repair, they are very busy and can't stop to contact the office and often they may not be in cellular range. Also the whole process may occur when the office is closed. If the leak is very near you, often a very general rule-of-thumb is expect water to be restored within the hour after the service department completes the repair. Not all customers will get the water back at the same time- it depends on where you live (high elevation, and end-of-water line) usually take longer and how many locations the service department must attempt to clear any remaining air in the line.
I Don't Believe There Is A Main Water Line Leak, But I Don't Have Water?
Your service may have been shut off for an emergency such as your meter was read and there was significant water use and it looked like you may have a leak but the office was unable to reach you- then your water may be shut off.
Did you pay your water bill, If you received a disconnection notice and didn't pay the bill-then your water service was probably locked out.
Do you have a leak on your side of the meter? Check the area for wetness or water leak. The customer is responsible for leaks past the meter.
Did your pressure reducing valve fail (aka pressure regulator)? This is customer responsibilty to replace.
In the winter: is your water line or fixtures frozen? This is a customer responsibility to resolve.
