LYNCHBURG, Va. – 12/2 5 p.m. Update:
Some roads remain closed in downtown Lynchburg after a major water main break on 10th Street between Main and Commerce.
Commerce Street has reopened, and Jefferson Street has partially reopened; however 10th Street is still closed.
Lynchburg Water Resources responded quickly Monday night to contain the break, and no homes or businesses lost water service. Crews completed repairs overnight.
“A lot of times, these older pipes, when the temperatures start changing, they’re very brittle. So, then we have breaks associated with the temperature change,” Tim Mitchell, director of Water Resources, said. “We’ve been working for about 10 years now on replacing and renewing the water infrastructure downtown.”
Lynchburg Water Resources is still assessing damage to homes and businesses in the area. Mitchell said that if you’re downtown and notice cloudy or airy water, you should run cold water in your bathtub for about 10 minutes to clear it out.
Update:
The water main break on 10th Street, between Main Street and Commerce Street, has been repaired.
Crews with Lynchburg Water Resources responded to the incident around 8 p.m. Monday. Commerce Street has reopened to traffic, but 10th Street (between Main and Commerce) and Jefferson Street remain closed as cleanup continues. Authorities are still assessing damage to public and private property in the area.
The break was isolated between Main Street and Commerce Street, and no customers lost water service. However, downtown customers may experience discolored water or air in their lines.
Authorities say residents should run cold water in a bathtub for 10 minutes to flush their pipes. If discoloration continues, they can contact Lynchburg Water Resources at 434-455-4250.
Update:
Commerce Street, Jefferson Street and 10th Street from Main to Commerce Streets are closed to all traffic as of 10 p.m. Monday. The break is 10 inches, and the water pressure has been lowered.
Original:
Lynchburg Water Resources’ Crews are working to assess and fix a water main break on 10th and Commerce Streets Monday night.
Officials say that customers in the area who experience air or discolored water in their waterlines should run cold water in their bathtub for three to five minutes until the ater clears.
Lynchburg Water Resources says do not run hot water. If the water remains discolored longer than five minutes, please contact Lynchburg Water Resources at 434-455-4250.