Frigid weather blamed as Peekskill water main break
Water gushed down Main to Bank streets causing a closure for a time but Main Street has since reopened.
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Frigid temperatures and snow are creating major challenges for repair crews attempting to fix a broken water main in Peekskill.
The main burst late Monday night on North James Street around 10:30 p.m., sending water flowing down Main Street toward Bank Street. A thick layer of ice developed on the roadway that has since reopened.
Crews used a hydro excavator to remove water from a hole dug along North James Street as they worked to reach the damaged pipe. They said the cold conditions made the process more difficult.
"We believe it's a 12‑inch main that's off of our 16 which is a huge feeder so that's why a lot of people lost water as quick as they did," a crew member said. The hydro excavator also struggled with the cold. "It froze on us twice so we had to keep bringing it up to our filter plant, defrost it, get it back," a worker said.
Crews said the extreme weather and recent winter storm likely contributed to the break and noted some pipes beneath the city are a century old.
Workers were able to isolate the break and restore service, though some customers may have low water pressure while repairs continue.
Residents experiencing discolored water were advised to let their taps run briefly. Crews hope to finish work by the end of the day.
