Old city. Old pipes. New water main breaks everyday in Middletown
Middletown Public Works Commissioner Jacob Tawil said Wednesday the recent cold snap and subsequent thaw have "pushed the system to the limit."
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A broken main Wednesday on Rowan Street was the latest of many water infrastructure repair projects across Middletown.
The city's Public Works Department has dealt with at least one water main break every day for the last two weeks.
DPW workers on scene said some leaks are under homes and some are beneath the streets, both of which have been drags on the system's pressure.
Some water mains are more than 80 years old and fragile.
Dinesh Khurana, owner of Srinathji Laundromat near the Rowan Street leak, did not lose pressure this time.
What if, though?
"Well, I can't think of that," Khurana said laughing.
The business would take a hit.
The staff's livelihoods depend on solid, consistent water pressure.
"If that happens, it happens, but you know, particularly [hard with] revenue," Khurana said. "That is because this is a rental place. Everyday rent counts, so I need the business everyday."
Middletown Public Works Commissioner Jacob Tawil said Wednesday the recent cold snap and subsequent thaw have "pushed the system to the limit."
Tawil said that during the record cold temperatures, water inside old pipes froze, damaged the pipes and then thawed, causing the leaks.
He added that the thaw may cause soil to shift slightly and lean on pipes, which can snap a water main.
His team relies on daily tips about water above the road surface."It's basically the people, the police department, our guys," he said. "We have people traveling all over.
They report it to us and we appreciate the public input."
Tawil's team will catch up on rest, but not yet.
They just finished one of the biggest snow removal operations they have ever done, only to now be working extra hours to stay ahead of the water infrastructure problems.
Tawil said he will ask the City Council for an infusion to his department's budget to make up for his employees' overtime hours.
The department's overtime budget for the entire year is already exhausted.
