Water main bursts in White Plains, New York, US

Thursday, August 13, 2020 

On Monday, a water main broke in the US city of White Plains, New York, cutting off the water supply to most of the city. The burst pipe caused a huge crater to form in a major intersection in the heart of the city, flooding the streets. Emergency crews were on the scene to repair the pipes in order to restore water service. Almost all customers had water restored by the evening.

The burst pipe destroyed the street.
Image: SVTCobra.

The water pipe burst under the road surface at the intersection of Martine Avenue and S. Lexington Avenue in the afternoon. By 5:00 pm EDT (2100 UTC) the city issued an advisory of water outages and stated the Department of Public Works (DPW) had located the problem. Wikinews was on the scene around 6:20 pm and could observe a large crater in the street caused by the amount of water from the burst pipe. Crews from DPW as well as some the fire department were there. Water was no longer rushing uncontrolled into the street.

Shortly thereafter, at 6:30 pm, the city issued a follow-up statement announcing the break had been contained by DPW. Residents were advised to expect the water to perhaps be "discolored" when it initially returned. The city estimated by 9 pm, there would be enough pressure returned to the water system for all to have water. Indeed, News 12 reported, only buildings adjacent to the break were without water service.

White Plains is the county seat for Westchester County, New York, which is also home to the cities New Rochelle and Yonkers which formed the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in New York. Westchester lies directly to the north of New York City.

Workers and officials discuss the situation after containment.
Image: SVTCobra.

Con Edison also sent crews to the scene.
Image: SVTCobra.

The water opened up a very large hole in the street.
Image: SVTCobra.

Casual observers also photographed the damage.
Image: SVTCobra.

A worker inspects the hole.
Image: SVTCobra.

Vehicles from the White Plains DPW and fire department.
Image: SVTCobra.

Sources

• "'I've never seen anything like this': Water main break collapses White Plains street" — News 12 Westchester, August 11, 2020
• David Propper. "White Plains water main break floods streets; most residents expected to get water back soon" —  August 10, 2020
• Press Release: "Water Main Break - Update 6:30 PM" — City of White Plains, August 10, 2020
• Press Release: "Water Main Break - 5:00 PM" — City of White Plains, August 10, 2020
• Zak Failla. "COVID-19: Here's Latest Breakdown Of Westchester Cases By Municipality" — The Daily Voice, April 6, 2020
• "Westchester" — Encyclopædia Britannica, Date of access: August 11, 2020