Since Friday, Staunton has been working to repair nine water main breaks at various locations in the city. Two breaks, in particular, on Skymont Road, between Terrace Street and Ridgeway Drive, have caused extended outages in water service.
Four of the nine line breaks were repaired by Monday, and two additional breaks have occurred today. Wide-ranging and frequent fluctuation in temperatures, from freezing to well above freezing temperatures, is the suspected cause of the ruptured lines.
The first break on Skymont Road was discovered midday Sunday and affected about 30 homes in the vicinity. The break was repaired by approximately 5 a.m., Monday, but as the City restored water service to the area, crews discovered that approximately 20 homes were still without water.
“We checked all of our systems, and suspected that there was another leak that hadn’t surfaced,” said Director of Public Works, Tom Sliwoski. “The leak surfaced around 5 p.m. We secured the area, shut down Skymont Road between Terrace Street and Ridgeway Drive and waited to commence line repairs during daylight hours so that we could clearly see and assess the situation.”
Approximately seven homes have been affected by the newfound leak. Upon the City’s request, the Staunton-Augusta YMCA offered the free use of its shower facilities for residents in those homes. The City also delivered cases of bottled water to those residences.
The second leak on Skymont Road has since been repaired, but service will not be restored to those seven homes immediately. The City is hiring a geotechnical engineer to assess the stability of the public right of way and evaluate the restoration and repair of the road, and will defer the restoration of service until that assessment is completed. The engineer, who is expected on site tomorrow, will determine if there are voids underground on public property and determine the potential risks those voids may pose.
Also on Skymont Road, adjacent to the public right of way, a sinkhole has developed on private property. The cause of the collapse is unclear. City Building Official John Glover visited the property today and condemned a house located next to the sinkhole.
“I felt it prudent to condemn the structure and prohibit occupancy until such time as the appropriate evaluation can be completed,” Glover said. “For now, we’ve organized the cut off of natural gas, electricity and water at the residence, and the occupants will be staying with friends.”
Repairs to water lines continue in the following areas:
- Skymont Road, Terrace Street to Ridgeway Drive (two breaks on the same line)
- North Coalter Street (across from McSwain Elementary)
- Aintree Place at Terrace Street
- Richmond Avenue at Kenyton Street
Since Friday, repairs to water lines have been completed in the following areas:
- Intersection of Noon and Hoover streets
- South Waverly Street to 1748 West Beverley Street
- 434 Village Drive on Richmond Avenue
- Anderson Street
Residents in these areas may have experienced discolored water. There is no indication that the water is unsafe. Water discoloration often occurs following a water main repair as a result of grit or air in the line. Residents should run all faucets in the home for at least five minutes, after which discoloration and grit should dissipate and water coloration should return to normal.
Suspect a water main break?
Any resident suspecting a water main break in their area or who is experiencing a sudden and unexpected interruption in service should alert the City by calling 540.332.3892.
The City’s public works department will continue to keep residents in the areas affected by water line breaks informed by providing information directly to them and as well as through the City’s website, www.staunton.va.us.
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