Overview
- A water main ruptured under El Cajon Boulevard near 54th Street late Wednesday, sending water across the roadway and forcing a multi-block closure for repairs.
- City crews shut off water service to the area, began emergency repairs overnight, and expect to restore service by Thursday evening while the full scope of damage is assessed.
- The break affected at least four businesses and one apartment complex, leaving residents to bring in bottled water and forcing some shops to remain closed.
- The pipe was a 16-inch polyurethane main, described by city officials as one of the newer pipes in the system, and the cause of the failure remains under investigation.
- The city set up a temporary water wagon for residents, advised property owners to file damage claims with Risk Management, and noted the overall rate of breaks in the system remains below industry averages.