Water Main Break Under Wayne Street Bridge January 28, 2016

Transcription

1 Water Main Break Under Wayne Street Bridge January 28, 2016 Just before noon on Thursday, January 28, 2016, a 16-inch water main was punctured under the Wayne Street bridge as county workers were trying to clear some trees jammed in the river against the bridge. The ensuing leak caused a rapid decrease in water pressure to the city s entire system dropping it well below allowable limits and prompting issuance of a Boil Order. Once the source of the leak was identified, Mike Dahlquist, Water Management Division Superintendent, and staff immediately went to work engineering the project. The leaking section of pipe could be isolated from the system to restore water pressures for the city; however, repairing the actual breach would call for a temporary dam to be built around the break to allow workers access to the pipe for repair. The authorities were quickly contacted, as permissions would have to be granted before any work could take place. Indiana Department of Environmental Management consented to immediate access to the river due to the emergency. The Army Corps of Engineers, assisted by reducing the river flow from Mississinewa Dam, the Salamonie Dam and the J. Edward Roush Dam until the break could be repaired. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources was also notified of the event and worked closely with Utility staff. Bowyer Excavating responded immediately to the Utility s request for assistance. Within 3 to 4 hours, Bowyer began building a road constructed of rock and sand extending from the south bank of the river to an island nearby, blocking the flow around the break. A coffer dam was then constructed around the break with rock and sand. A tributary through the island was also created to re-route the flow from the south side of the river to take pressure off of the coffer dam. Meanwhile, Utility water filtration personnel began the bacteria testing process as soon as the breached pipe was isolated from the system. Employees came in Thursday at 10:00 pm and began flushing hydrants in the system throughout the night to prepare for bacteria testing on Friday morning. Test results are not available for 24 hours; and two consecutive tests must confirm water quality before the Boil Order could be lifted.

2 Other Peru Utilities employees were walking door to door with fliers announcing the boil order. The warning was also published on the main page of the Utility s website; and Utility personnel were notifying media, healthcare facilities and local businesses to inform the public. Even City Hall employees spread the word through the City s social media page. Although water service had been fully restored to the City by 3:00 pm, Thursday, January 28, the public was instructed that precautions must be taken until water testing could be performed to confirm that water was safe for consumption. For the public s safety and protection, water from the tap must be boiled for five minutes before drinking, making ice cubes, washing foods, brushing teeth or performing other activities involving human consumption. Once Bowyer Excavating had the river dam built on Friday morning, 3 and 4 inch pumps were brought in to clear standing water where Utility workers would dig to expose the breached pipe section. Utility workers removed the broken section and replaced it by 7:00 pm, Friday evening. This was accomplished with parts supplied by Utility Supply; they were instrumental in furnishing parts they hold in inventory at their Peru warehouse. Test results confirmed water quality at a safe level for consumption by Sunday, January 31, at noon. All testing was performed by Twin Rivers Laboratory in Logansport, Indiana, whose staff came in on both Saturday and Sunday to accommodate Peru Utilities. Their efforts and cooperation helped limit the boil order to two days. Once again Utility workers went door to door placing fliers announcing the lifting of the Boil Order. With help from City of Peru Fire Department, phone notifications were quickly made to healthcare facilities, media and local businesses. The website published an all clear and provided instructions for what to do since the Boil Order was lifted. All regulatory agencies were informed of the lifting of the boil order. Mike Dahlquist, Superintendent of the Water Management Division, credited the skilled Utility water maintenance workers who worked diligently to repair the main for getting the job done as quickly as possible and thanked the many Utility employees who volunteered their help to assist. He also expressed gratitude for the cooperation from several external agencies such as the Peru Fire Department, City Hall, IDEM, the Army Corps of Engineers, the DNR and Bowyer Excavating.

3

4

5