The West Reading Borough Public Works Department is working to repair a water main break in the 300 block of Linden Lane and the 000 block of South Sixth Avenue, which has disrupted service to these residences.
What to expect if a water main breaks nearby.
Main breaks can cause a loss of water pressure or a temporary loss of service while the main is shut down to isolate the emergency. Most interruptions to water service are repaired within six to eight hours.
Don’t worry! Unless you are told otherwise by a representative of the Borough, your water is safe to drink.
Why do water mains break?
Water mains fail when the stresses placed upon them are greater than the strength of the pipe. External forces on a water main include:
- Traffic loading
- Temperature changes
- Underground work that leads to a direct or indirect impact on the pipe.
The imbalance of stresses to the strength of a pipe may show itself in various ways, such as:
- Joint leaks
- Pipe breaks; or
- Service line detached from the main.