Water District Minimizes Impact of Major Main Break

GARDEN CITY PARK, NY, MARCH 16, 2004 – Quick work by Garden City Park Water District crews prevented a major disruption of water service Monday, March 15 when a large water main break occurred in the Manhasset Hills area of the district. After just 90 minutes, district work crews were able to isolate the break, located in a 16-inch transmission main on Sutton Hill Lane. Superintendent John Sweeney praised his staff for their rapid, efficient performance.

“This break was most likely precipitated by the wide variance in temperatures experienced this winter,” he said. “Our crews responded immediately and quickly isolated the problem so that a minimal number of customers were impacted and the water pressure was restored in a short period of time. They did a good job, under difficult circumstances."

The problem was first discovered at 5 p.m. on March 15, when a resident reported low water pressure in the Manhasset Hills area. Field personnel were dispatched to that section, and within minutes they found water coming up from the street on Sutton Hill Lane. Urgent calls were placed to Key Span and LIPA, asking them to respond immediately to mark the locations of their gas and electric lines, so the road could be opened safely and the main repaired.

While water service was suspended to homeowners on Sutton Hill Lane, pressure throughout the remainder of the district, which had dropped considerably at the time of the break, was returned to more normal levels in approximately 90 minutes. That included the time it took for the utilities to respond and the problem area to be isolated. Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, fire officials were notified in case there had been a fire during this time, and crews worked overnight to complete final repairs.

Local service was restored to all but one home by 8 a.m. the next day with a minimal disruption of traffic on area roads. The remaining home received water service by 9:30 that morning.

The incident had no impact on water quality, according to a series of samples taken after the repair was completed. Although the Garden City Park Water District had experienced an average number of water main breaks this winter, caused by the shifting of the earth as it freezes and thaws, the district logged a record-breaking number of main breaks last winter, as did many public water suppliers across Long Island.

“The quick response by our staff, just as they had done during the blackout last summer, demonstrates their good training and professional abilities as well as their strong commitment to providing customers with the best possible service 24/7," Superintendent Sweeney concluded. "They should be proud of another job well done."