The break caused a temporary drop in water pressure in downtown, Opportunity Park and Vernon Odom Boulevard/Rhodes Avenue areas. The damaged main was isolated by 1:40 p.m. and water pressure in the area returned to normal levels. Approximately two million gallons of water was lost through the broken main.

As a result of the water main break, discolored water is expected in the general area bounded by Exchange Street on the north, Manchester Road on the west, Crosier Street on the south and Arlington Road on the east.

Some residents can expect discolored water into Tuesday.

The water is useable; it does NOT have to be boiled.

The water is drinkable and can be used for cooking and bathing.

City Public Utilities Manager Michael McGlinchy recommends not using the water for laundry until the discoloration has been eliminated.

Any questions, call the Public Utilities Dispatch Office at 330-375-2420.

For your information, here’s the approximate timeline of events for today’s (October 17, 2005) event (actual and estimated).

• 1:00 Water main damaged by contractor, in-town water reservoir levels start dropping at faster than normal rates (estimated)
• 1:15 First call informing APUB that there is a major water main break at the Helen Arnold CLC construction site, followed by calls from mostly businesses complaining of low water pressure.
• 1:40 Broken section of water main isolated, in town water reservoirs levels go back to normal rate of drawdown (estimated).
• 1: 45 Start of calls from residents and businesses complaining of discolored water. Complaints were constant and steady through 5:00 and then tapered off.

END