At least 4 water main breaks in GR

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Grand Rapids water repair crews are dealing with at least four different possible water main breaks at the same time.

At most of the sites, officials have not yet been able to dig into the ground to confirm what the problem is.

The first break at Adams Street and Gladstone Dr. SE caused a large tree to sink into the ground and hit a gas line in the process. DTE Energy crews were on site Wednesday assisting water repair workers.

Many of the residents impacted by that break had water restored by Wednesday afternoon but were placed under a boil water advisory until further notice.

Aside from the Adams Street break, officials told 24 Hour News 8 they are dealing with at least three other potential breaks.

"Very busy," said Wayne Jernberg, assistant manager of the Grand Rapids water system.

Water could be seen spewing from ground on Dorrie Avenue near Innes Street NE. Another apparent break in the 1500 block of Mayfield Avenue near Leonard Street NE left a crater in the road with water pouring out of it.

Water officials said they were also looking into a potential main break on Griggs Street at Chamberlain Avenue SE. They may be a fifth break in an unknown location.

The Adams Street break is the largest the city has seen in six years. That main is 30-inches in diameter. The others are 6-inch mains.

"This is one for record books," said Jernberg. "Freak of nature. ... Sometimes it can be related to the ground freezing and so forth and extended periods of cold temperatures."

Jernberg said the city normally has between 80 and 100 water main breaks a year.

"Out of 1,200 miles, to have that few of main breaks a year is actually really good," he said.

Jernberg said water main breaks are a challenge to deal with because officials have to wait for gas line officials to approve before they dig. That process can take about three hours as the problem continues to get worse.

Any customers who have their water shut off because of a main break should not drink the water once it is turned back on without boiling it first. Officials will put those users on a boil water advisory until further notice.

Anyone who sees a potential water main break in the city of Grand Rapids is asked to call the 24-hour water emergency hotline at 616.456.3249.