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Water Main Breaks Cause Traffic Disruptions in Columbia, S.C.

Construction workers repairing water main breaks in Columbia, S.C.

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!