Water main ruptures at five Woodbury locations sent 33 people at an apartment complex out of their homes Sunday when water gushed into their building. Another 50 homes and businesses were left without water for most of the day.
City officials said it appears there was a major glitch in the computer controls, which may have increased pressure throughout the system. Crews were called in Sunday to repair the broken pipes and are expected to have all water restored by sometime Monday.
Klayton Eckles, Woodbury's public works director, said that the affected valved was shut off and bypassed. The problem did not affect water quality, officials said.
The five breaks occurred at weak points in the system, Eckles said. They were distributed across the city, occurring at Lake Road and Courtly Road, Esther Lane and Meadow Lane, Leyland Trail and Leyland Court, Sycamore Trail and Sumac Way.
The break at the apartment complex at 300 block of Lake View Drive in Woodbury, was on private property. Around 1 a.m. Sunday about 33 people, including 15 kids, were sent to emergency housing by the American Red Cross.
Eckles said that some homeowners also were reporting problems with plumbing that could be a result of the system breaks.
Repairs will likely affect Monday morning traffic in the area near the Lake Road and Courtly Road intersection because the broken main is under the street, city officials said. Westbound traffic on Lake Road will be diverted away from the area at Woodlane Drive, where there will be a detour to allow for water main and street repairs. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes. Surrounding streets will be open to local traffic only.
If residents or businesses have any questions, they should contact the Woodbury Public Works Department at 651-714-3720.
Josephine Marcotty • 612-673-7394
