Leak in Brewer leaves area without water

Posted Feb. 17, 2009, at 11:25 a.m.

BREWER, Maine — Residents along North Main Street, north of Indian Trail Park, did not have water when they woke up Tuesday due to a massive break in the water main that feeds the area.

At around 9:15 p.m. Monday employees at the Brewer Water Department noticed the water level at the Whiting Hill water tank was dropping fast, Superintendent Mike Riley said.

“That told us we had a leak,” he said. “Usually a big leak like this surfaces pretty quickly. It was very difficult to track down” because the break occurred near a culvert and the water was running directly into the river.

The 10-inch water main was mangled by the fluctuating recent temperatures, Riley said.

“Pipe was sheared right in two and had a whole in the top,” he said.

Crews are working on the problem now and should be done by Tuesday afternoon, when water will be restored, Riley said.