Repairs underway after water main bursts in Mayfair impacting dozens of properties
Water main break leaves 60 properties without service in Mayfair
Philadelphia Water Department crews are working to repair a water main break on Elbridge Street in Mayfair after an 8-inch pipe burst and had to be shut down, leaving about 60 properties without water service.
PHILADELPHIA - Repairs are underway after a massive water main break flooded streets in Philadelphia's Mayfair neighborhood on Friday morning.
What we know:
Residents on Elbridge Street woke up Friday to no water, with mud and water rushing down the street, according to the Philadelphia Water Department. A department spokesperson said crews found the leak on an 8-inch main and made repairs throughout the day.
SkyFOX footage showed water bubbling to the surface about halfway down Elbridge Street, down to nearby Horrocks Street.
A spokesperson said water in the area was turned off, impacting about 60 properties.
"We are working to restore water service as quickly as possible and expect to complete the repair later today," the spokesperson said.
Local perspective:
Antonio Montanaro said, "I went to the bathroom this morning, and I saw water coming out of the sidewalk over that side but I didn’t think it was that bad." He added, "then I came back around 6:30 and it was a whole river. The whole street was full of water."
Denismarie Ramos said, "we just ran out of water at six in the morning. My son was in the shower and he heard a loud noise and then no more water."
After about eight hours, Philadelphia Water Department workers finished installing a new pipe and filled the hole with gravel to mark the repair. Residents expressed relief as water service was restored.
Tyree Watson said, "because people can brush their teeth and wash up again." Stephanie said, "the water came back on not too long ago. I couldn’t even wash up this morning, but I ain’t dirty though."
Madeline Fernandez described the morning without water: "no toilet nothing horrible," and added, "we have dishes in the sink and I can’t even mop or clean or anything."
What's next:
Philadelphia Water Department crews have completed pipe repairs, but the street will need further attention to restore it to normal. Residents are now focused on cleaning up after a morning of disruption. The Streets Department is responsible for the road repair.
What we don't know:
An exact timetable for the repair has not been shared by the water department, but service is expected to return sometime Friday.
The Source: This article contains information from the Philadelphia Water Department and on-scene reporting by FOX 29's Jennifer Lee.