Deep freeze strains pipes as Attleboro faces several water main breaks
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WJAR) — Crews in Attleboro repaired a fourth water main break in the city on Thursday.
The water main break happened on East Bacon Street.
With more cold temperatures on the way, there are concerns water main breaks may become more frequent.
Water service was interrupted with the road restricted for most of the day.
The water main break follows others across the city, from Route 152 on South Main Street to Read Street and Pike Avenue.
City officials said the problem isn’t new,but the timing and frequency are hard to ignore.
"Extremely cold temperatures right things contract some of our water mains are cast iron that have been down there for who knows how long," said Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. "It's incredibly expensive to replace water mains, and in any infrastructure projects it's incredibly expensive. So you you fall behind sometimes and then it's snowballs not an excuse. It's just kind of a fact."
DeSimone said some of the pipes beneath Attleboro streets are nearly 100 years old and replacing them is costly.
An $8 million water main upgrade is planned for Pike Avenue, but until then, crews are bracing for more breaks as temperatures plunge toward zero.
City officials said residents may notice discolored water once service is restored, but it should clear within 24 hours.
If it doesn’t, they’re urging people to contact the water department and to avoid laundry and bleach until the lines fully flush.
