Water utility officials watch for main breaks

By BETH WHEELOCK ( Contact ) Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009

Podcast Episode

WCLO's Beth Wheelock reports on how changing weather can damage the mains.

Nearly everyone in Rock County is looking forward to warmer weather, but rising temperatures can create a problem for city water mains.

Janesville Water Superintendent Katie Edgington says cold spells followed by warm spells produce more ground movement and possibly more main breaks. She says about a quarter of the city's water mains are built of thinner cast-iron walls dating back to the 1940s. Those are the areas that most frequently break and are mostly located downtown. Edgington recommends calling the after-hours hotline at 755-6375 to report a water main break. She says they're most easily spotted when water starts coming up through the pavement.

Scroll down to hear how residents are warned of water main breaks in their area.

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