City of Akron Public Utilities Manager Mike McGlinchy estimates crews will have the pavement repaired and the road ready for traffic sometime tomorrow afternoon (9/18).

"A cap on a fitting blew off and caused this," said McGlinchy. "It is not a water main break, per se, but the outcome is nevertheless the same."

Repair crews worked through the night to secure the circa 1920 water lines just south of the hospital’s main campus after shutting down the water supply at around 5:30 yesterday afternoon.

Immediately, other feeder lines were employed to ensure no interruption of service to nearby businesses, several of which sustained water damage from the estimated 500,000 gallons that escaped.

Hardest hit was the William H. Considine (con si DINE) Professional Building just east of the Children’s Hospital main campus. Roughly 18 inches of water rushed into the lower level of the building. Power was shut off and everyone inside was evacuated. The building houses outpatient services and data services. It has been closed for the day today as cleanup begins.

No one was injured in the incident at the usually busy intersection just west of Main Street. Water, while it may be discolored for a time today, is safe to drink, according to McGlinchy.

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