Two water main breaks might leave some without water
COLUMBIA — Two water main breaks, one on Hitt Street and one on Rockcreek Drive, have disrupted water service and, in some areas, diverted traffic.
Around 9 a.m., water cracked through the surface of the road between Paquin Street and University Avenue on Hitt Street. Police have blocked a section of Hitt Street while water flowing from the broken 8-inch line floods the street.
Bystanders were taking pictures of the flood as it flowed high under cars parked along the side of the street. One car was towed to allow access to the break.
Columbia Water and Light officials had just arrive at the scene around 10 a.m. and were trying to locate utility lines before starting repairs.
Connie Kacprowicz, spokeswoman for Water and Light, said repairs could take 2 to 4 hours.
"It kind of depends on how quickly the utility locations get there," she said.
Kacprowicz said 15 to 20 nearby apartment units could lose their water service while repairs are made.
Sections of the sidewalk were impassable for pedestrians, and police closed Hitt Street from University Avenue to Paquin Street.
A separate 6-inch line broke at Rockcreek Drive in West Columbia. Repairs crews have located nearby utilities and beginning repairs, Kacprowicz said.
She said the main should be fixed in a couple of hours, but about 10 nearby houses could lose water service.