UPDATE: Water shut off as crews fix broken valves

10:45 a.m. UPDATE

Water service to Riverside Drive and its surrounding area has been shut off as crews work to repair another broken valve.

Service is expected to remain off until crews can fix a second broken valve near a 12-inch water main that failed Monday afternoon under Riverside Drive, cutting flow to about 50 customers in the lower part of North Danville, including Piney Forest Road, Westover Drive and Mount Cross Road.

Service has been restored to the western end of the area, from Exchange Street to Piedmont Drive, but residents are still advised to boil water before consuming, said Jim Harr, deputy director of utilities.

Crews made it a point to maintain service, but at about 5 a.m., it was determined the problem couldn’t be fixed unless the flow was turned off, said Arnold Hendrix, city of Danville spokesman.

That valve was fixed around 6 a.m., but water remains off while crews work to repair a second valve that broke around 6 p.m. Monday. Valves stop water flow to certain sections of pipe and are essential to fix breaks, Harr said.

Full service is expected to return around noon, but residents are advised to continue boiling tap water until otherwise notified. The cause of the break is still undermined, but officals speculate that fluctuating temperatures are to blame.

ORIGINAL STORY

An underground water main split on Riverside Drive in front of Stallings Family Restaurant closed businesses and prompted a water-boiling advisory in the area Monday.

A Danville Utilities crew worked to repair the water main break that happened at about 1:15 p.m. Monday near 3117 Riverside Drive on the eastbound side. Workers replaced the small piece of damaged pipe and water service to the area was restored at 6:15 p.m., said Arnold Hendrix, city of Danville spokesman.

However, a second water main break was reported at about 6:30 p.m. at Riverside and Exchange streets, said Danville Police Sgt. Stuart Yeaman. A city crew was digging through the street to get to the break at about 7:30 p.m.

Crews will be working through the night and hope to have service restored from the second leak by Tuesday morning.

The water-boiling advisory will remain in effect at least until Wednesday so city officials can test the water for bacteria and get the results. The advisory applies to residents and businesses on Westover Drive, Piney Forest Road and Mount Cross Road.    

Some businesses had to close until the 12-inch main — which officials said split due to the recent temperature change — was fixed along Riverside from Westover Drive to Taco Bell between Commerce and Barter streets.

Workers had to cut a rectangular hole in the street to get to the pipe and traffic along one of Danville’s busiest streets was redirected.

Pablo Davila, superintendent for water and gas distribution, said at the scene he expected repairs to last four to eight hours.

    Hendrix said the split affected about 50 water customers.

    Water customers in the areas along Riverside Drive, Mount Cross Road and Piney Forest Road were advised Monday to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking. Four schools — Bonner, Park Avenue, Westwood and Woodberry — have been notified and Abingdon Place, Piney Forest and Riverside nursing homes have also been advised.    

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, beverage and food preparation and making ice until further notice.

Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. State and city officials advise bringing tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using.

Several businesses along Riverside Drive were forced to close after the break.

A handwritten note on Taco Bell’s glass door read: “Sorry, we are closed. Will reopen as soon as we can.”

Mark Mantooth, general manager at Western Sizzlin Steak House on Riverside Drive, said health department officials told him to close the restaurant due to the water main break. Mantooth and his staff were unable to wash dishes, make coffee or tea or serve soft drinks.

Mantooth said he hoped to be able to open the restaurant again Tuesday morning.

At The Innkeeper at 3020 Riverside Drive, Assistant Manager Faye Strader informed customers Monday that there was no useable water there.

“I’m telling them as they check in,” Strader said.

“So far, guests have been cooperative,” she said. “They’re understanding.”