Water Main Breaks Are Most Common During the Winter
As Long Island braces for the coldest part of the year, the Hicksville Water District (HWD) would like to remind residents that water main breaks are most common during the winter. While the frequency of these disruptions to water service is at its peak, HWD staff is ready to head out into the field to fix them at a moment’s notice.
“The Hicksville Water District’s foremost priority is providing our residents with high-quality, efficient water service every day,” said HWD Chairman Karl Schweitzer. “Our ability to do so is highly dependent on the integrity of our infrastructure, which is why are committed to repairing water main breaks as soon as they occur. No matter the time, temperature or weather conditions, our dedicated staff is ready to respond to a water main break as soon as it occurs to minimize disruptions to our residents’ water service.”
Water main breaks are not caused by the water main pipes freezing over, as the depth of the pipes and movement of water within them prevents that from happening. Rather, main breaks are caused by the ground freezing and expanding, which creates more pressure and causes the pipe to break. The age of water mains also plays a role in their overall strength, which is why the District tries to replace sections of water main every year.
If a water main break does occur, a temporary water shutdown will be put in place in order to allow the pipes to be fixed. Customers will be notified ahead of the shutdown by a District employee. Due to the repairs, there may also be water discoloration or air in the pipes. While the discoloration is not harmful, but it may stain laundry. If this discoloration occurs, allow cold water to run from a faucet or tub at the closest area to the incoming service line for a few minutes or until the water clears.
The HWD website features a live map which contains regular updates on when and where water main breaks have occurred and indicates that District staff is addressing the issue. The map serves as the perfect way for residents to see if their area will be affected by main breaks, and it can be viewed at www.hicksvillewater.org.
