High pressure water was released from a nearby fire hydrant to remove air from the pipes. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD- The neighborhood around Ingersoll Drive had its water temporarily disrupted Friday afternoon after a water main broke beneath the road.
Reports of the water main breaking began around noon on Friday. Westfield Department of Public Works Assistant Director Fran Cain said that the break was likely caused by a crack in the pipes that had been forming for some time.
By about 3 p.m., DPW crews from the Water Division were filling in the hole in the road after the pipe had been repaired. At the same time, water was being released from a nearby fire hydrant as a way of getting air out the pipes that may have been let in during the work. Nearby residents may experience “spitting” when water comes out of their pipes, meaning that the water will appear to rapidly stop flowing and start again as air comes through the faucets.
DPW crews were filling in the hole in the road where the main broke within hours of the first reports. (Photo by Peter Currier)
Cain noted that the water in the area should not have been contaminated during the main break or during the work to repair it.
“We maintain a sterile environment when we go to repair these things,” said Cain, “A small amount of sediment may get in, but that is it.”
