News Summary
Residents in Columbia, S.C., are facing significant disruptions due to multiple water main breaks. A repair at Harden and Gervais streets is causing traffic delays, while residents along North Wyatt Lane are under a boil advisory affecting approximately 49 households. The city is actively addressing these issues as they arise, prioritizing repairs following January’s record number of breaks due to freezing temperatures. Columbia Water is enhancing infrastructure to prevent future occurrences without increasing costs for customers.
Water Main Breaks Create Traffic Woes and Boil Advisories in Columbia, S.C.
Residents of Columbia, South Carolina, are facing some disruptions as crews rush to fix a couple of pesky water main breaks in the area. The first major repair is taking place right at the busy intersection of Harden and Gervais streets in the vibrant Five Points area. While the specialists dive into action, one lane of eastbound traffic is currently closed off, which means that commuters should expect some delays and plan ahead.
What’s Happening on Harden and Gervais?
As Columbia Water crews roll up their sleeves to tackle this urgent repair, residents and drivers are being asked to do their part as well. If you’re in the vicinity, be sure to follow those detour signs and tread carefully while navigating around the construction zone. Updates about the necessary repairs will be shared as work progresses, so stay tuned for more information as it unfolds.
Boil Advisories in Effect for North Wyatt Lane
But wait, that’s not all! An additional water main break has caused some trouble on North Wyatt Lane, directly impacting about 49 local households. These residents have now been placed under a precautionary boil advisory. If you live in that area, keep an eye out for hang tags that will be delivered to your doorstep, informing you about what to do next! This advisory is a standard procedure when the water pressure drops low enough during repairs, a condition that could allow contaminants to sneak into the water system.
January’s Freeze Drama
It’s worth noting that January was quite a dramatic month for Columbia’s water systems, with a staggering total of nearly 147 water main breaks and 288 service line leaks caused by those icy temperatures. The fluctuations in temperature can lead to movement in the ground, which can absolutely wreak havoc on our pipes. Unfortunately, many of these breaks stem from Columbia’s aging infrastructure, including those stubborn 85-year-old cast iron pipes that are simply past their prime.
Columbia Water on the Case
To tackle these issues head-on, Columbia Water has contracted additional workers to speed up repair processes. However, there’s no specific timeframe to announce just yet for the completion of all the repairs. The repairs are going to be prioritized, and some roadwork may involve cutting through the asphalt to make those necessary pipe repairs.
Who is Affected?
It’s important to note that these water main breaks are impacting hundreds of homeowners, whether directly with water issues or indirectly through traffic back-ups. Although some repairs may not lead to noticeable water disruptions—thanks to skilled work being done under pressure—the overall work is leading to a bit of chaos on our roads.
Future Plans for Infrastructure
In an effort to stave off such issues in the future, Columbia Water is on a mission to upgrade and repair this old infrastructure. You may be wondering about the cost—good news! Most customers won’t see an increase in their water bills as the city is footing the bill for leaks that occur on the city side.
As the repairs continue across Columbia, residents are encouraged to remain patient and stay informed. The crews are working hard to restore normalcy, so our great city can get back to business as usual!
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Additional Resources
- WLTX
- WIS TV
- KOMU News
- ABC Columbia
- Post and Courier
- Wikipedia: Water Main
- Google Search: Water Main Breaks Columbia
- Google Scholar: Water Main Infrastructure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Main Break
- Google News: Columbia Water Issues
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
