Restoration of Water Supply in North Charleston Neighborhood Following Major Water Main Break
In North Charleston, South Carolina, local utility crews, specifically from the Charleston Water System, have reportedly managed to restore water services following a significant water main break. The incident led to streets being flooded and left approximately 200 residents without access to water.
Details of the Incident
The water main rupture occurred in the Accabee community of North Charleston. Initial reports suggesting a minor break came in early Monday evening. The situation, however, intensified drastically in just a few hours.
“We got a call about a very small water main break in the area. That’s pretty common, we usually schedule those and come back and fix it but at about three or four o’clock it became a monster,” explained Charleston Water System Spokesman Mike Saia.
Emergency Response and Repair Actions
Emergency personnel promptly responded to the escalating situation, shutting off valves and successfully isolating the leak within a few hours. This rapid action resulted in the water supply being restored for a significant number of affected households.
However, around 55 customers had their water supply halted until Tuesday afternoon. North Charleston city officials stepped in to provide water bottles to those in need, distributing them at the local community center.
Mending the Damaged Water Main
As outlined by Saia, the repair work was fairly standard, despite the initial impact of the break. He said, “We had to cut out a section of pipe and bring in a new, about six or seven feet of pipe, and put a couple of clamps on both sides and stitch it all together.”
Repairs are still continuing on Baker Street, and the reopening of the road could take a few more days.
Frequency of Water Main Breaks
This latest incident marks the third major water main rupture in the area for this year. Saia noted that the Charleston Water System anticipates approximately 140 breaks annually. Such incidents typically occur due to aging infrastructure.
Budget Allocation for Repairs
The Charleston Water System reportedly has a designated budget set aside specifically for dealing with these kinds of repairs.
Conclusion
The water supply in North Charleston has largely been restored after the major water main break. However, some further disruptions are expected due to ongoing repair works.
Quoted from one of the affected residents, “This event was an inconvenience for sure, but given the quick response from the utility crews and the city, it was handled as well as it could be. I am glad the water supply has been restored.”
