(Undated)– The extreme cold is taking a toll on water mains in several area towns. Broken water mains were reported in at least three lakes area communities today (Thursday) including Wahpeton, Terril and Spirit Lake.
In Spirit Lake, city officials say a main broke in the area of Akron Avenue and 23rd Street. City Administrator Gregg Owens says crews will be repairing the break Friday (Jan. 7th) and that as a result, residents in the area of Boston Avenue and 23rd Street running east on 23rd Street to Francis Sites Drive and then continuing along Francis Sites Drive to 28th Street will have their water shut off from about 9:00 am until 12 Noon. Owens says once service is restored those residents may notice a temporary reduction in water pressure and some discoloration. If that happens he says residents should run cold water again until the water is clear.
Officials in Wahpeton say work to repair a broken main in the area of 2413 Manhattan Boulevard was ongoing as of late Thursday afternoon. They add that residents in the affected area north of that location will be under a boil advisory for 48 hours once the water is back on.
Public works officials say a combination of the extreme cold and a lack of snow cover to insulate the ground could result in additional water main breaks in days to come.
Water utilities in several area cities are telling residents to run a thin stream of water from a tap if they’ve had issues in the past with water lines freezing.
