Milwaukee Water Works – Update on water main breaks advisory
On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) identified a leak on an 84-inch water main located outside the Texas Avenue Pumping Station.
On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) identified a leak on an 84-inch water main located outside the Texas Avenue Pumping Station. This station pumps water from Lake Michigan to the Howard Avenue Water Treatment Plant.
To protect the pumping station from damage from the water leak, MWW decided to shut down the pipeline. As this pumping station supplies water to Howard Avenue, the plant was also shut down. This occurred at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17.
A private contractor is on site at the Texas Avenue pumping station, excavating the 84-inch pipe to find the leak. It is not known at this time where the leak is or, once found, how long it will take to repair the pipeline. Best case scenario: The station will be out of commission for at least two weeks.
The Linnwood Avenue Water Treatment Plant continues to supply water to the MWW’s entire service area. In order for water to reach customers in the far southwestern regions of the service area, the pressure in the distribution system had to be increased.
A consequence of this increase in pressure: 50 water main breaks in the City of Milwaukee since Saturday afternoon. MWW crews have repaired all but a handful of breaks, and water has been restored to the majority of customers.
Most main breaks have occurred in the north and northwest parts of the community, as mains in these areas usually do not experience such an increase in pressure levels. Water pressure will continue to run higher on the north side of the city, while water pressure on the south side, including Hales Corners, Greendale, Greenfield, New Berlin, and St. Francis, will run lower than usual.
MWW Superintendent Carrie Lewis and Department of Public Works Commissioner Ghassan Korban emphasize that Milwaukee water is safe to drink and use.
About the Milwaukee Water Works
The Milwaukee Water Works is a national leader in providing high-quality drinking water and monitoring water quality. Established in 1871, the Milwaukee Water Works is proud to be the largest and oldest continuously operating water utility in Wisconsin.
The City of Milwaukee-owned utility provides water to over 860,000 people in 16 communities in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha Counties: Milwaukee, Brown Deer, Butler, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Shorewood, St. Francis, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and West Milwaukee. We also provide water to the Milwaukee County Grounds facilities and portions of Menomonee Falls, Mequon, New Berlin, and Thiensville.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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