CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) — The City of Corpus Christi has been dealing with multiple water line breaks since Wednesday this week and said the heat, small increases in water pressure and other factors are behind the breaks.
Crews had to close down part of Alameda Street between Everhart and Airline roads after a water main broke there Wednesday. A second water main on Alameda Street at Robert broke early Thursday.
They were also called out Thursday after a 16-inch water main broke on Port Avenue and San Jacinto.
And another at Port Avenue and Mary Street.
And what appeared to be the first signs of another main break at Leopard Street and Palm Drive. A City worker said water could be seen bubbling through the asphalt.
Another break caused the intersection of Carancahua and Antelope to be shut down. According to authorities, it was a small eight-inch water main, and crews would track it down and repair it quickly.
The City said Thursday that crews have been working around the clock to repair the breaks. They said severe heat and changing soil conditions, which can cause the ground to shift, along with aging infrastructure and small increases in water pressure are the cause of the ruptured lines.
"The amount of rain we've had lately and the heat coming up, a lot of the soil's shifting. That's the big factor, especially these breaks right here," said Mike Olivarez of the City's Water Department.
As for the increases in water pressure, officials have been warning residents of increases in water pressure throughout the city since earlier this year as two new water towers come online.
Crews are repairing breaks as soon as possible in hopes of minimizing interruption of water services.
People who spoke with 3News said they were pleased with how quickly the City responded.
"They were pretty responsive. I know it happened last night, but they said it would be fixed by this evening. So if that is, it's pretty okay with me," Zandra Ramirez said.
"Overnight when we got this issue I think they were pretty quick in handling it. Yesterday there was one down the street," Hope Rosales said.
If you see a water line break, call the City at 361-826-2489.
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