Media Advisory
from The Metropolitan District
HARTFORD -- February 6, 2003 - At approximately 12:30 a.m. today, a 10-inch water main broke on
Franklin Avenue near the Wethersfield town line.
MDC crews responded
immediately and closed the main, shutting down service to approximately 100
customers from the town line to Jordan Lane, including the Connecticut
Department of Labor and Department of Corrections offices on Wolcott Hill Road,
Wethersfield. As of 9 a.m., both
departments remained open for business.
Service to customers is
expected to be restored by about noon.
December 2002: 50 main pipe leaks 21
service leaks
Total was the third highest on record for the month.
January 2003: 87 main pipe leaks 24
service leaks.
The total number was the most recorded in one month.
The persistent cold leads to frost deeper in the ground. The severe and
changing temperatures lead to ground shifts, which can damage susceptible water
pipes.
In recent years, the MDC
has experienced a decline in the number of service leaks due to the MDC’s
program of replacing wrought iron service pipes with copper pipes, which are
less susceptible to breaking in cold weather.
Despite the high number
of pipe leaks, hydrants have functioned well, and District crews will continue
their inspections of those hydrants that are prone to freezing. During recent
serious fires in Windsor, East Hartford and Hartford, no hydrant problems were
reported.
Contact:
Matt Nozzolio
MDC, 278-7850, ext. 3209
Pager: 340-4365