Service should remain uninterrupted because two other water mains are in service. Watch video
Here are two views of the washed out area Tuesday caused by the Provin Mountain 54-inch-diameter water main break at East View Drive and North West Street Monday afternoon.
AGAWAM – A break Monday in a major water main in the city's Feeding Hills section could take up to four weeks to repair, but water services should remain uninterrupted, according to an official with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.
Katherine J. Pedersen, executive director of the commission, said Tuesday that the break occurred about 3 p.m. Monday in a 54-inch-diameter water transmission line on North West Street near East View Drive. The 1928 steel main brings water from the Springfield commission’s Provin Mountain Reservoir in Agawam to customers in Agawam, Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow and Ludlow.
Customers experienced low water pressure until the break was isolated and the water main was shut down about 4:30 p.m. Monday by Springfield Water and Sewer Commission workers, according to her.
However, Pedersen said there was no loss of water service because two other major water transmission lines have been able to take up the slack. The break sent a geyser of water 30 feet high, creating the low water pressure, according to her.
“That is normal, particularly for a break of this size,” she said.
Pedersen said there have been complaints of discolored water in Agawam as well as in parts of Springfield. She said customers experiencing it should run their cold water traps for about 5 minutes or until the water runs clear. If that does not work they should try the process again. If the problem persists, Pedersen said customers may call the commission in Springfield at (413) 787-6206. The line is manned 24 hours a day.
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supplies drinking water to about 250,000 customers in the area.