City restores water to 50 homes after overnight break in water main

MARYSVILLE — If nothing else, residents of Marysville shouldn't have to worry about the water main at the intersection 67th Avenue and 88th Street NE breaking again.

At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15, the 12-inch line at that junction suffered a circular fracture, leaving an estimated 50 homes in the surrounding area without water until shortly after 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

City of Marysville Public Works Operations Manager Karen Latimer explained that the line in question was cast iron, "which tends to get brittle," and had been in place since 1970 without any lateral support.

"With that lack of support and the stresses of settling over the years, this sort of break is not uncommon," Latimer said. "The police department first called it in as an unsafe road condition, since it was a complete break of the main that had water going up onto the road and creating an icy patch."

City Public Works crews repaired the break with a stainless steel band, complete with a rubber gasket to ensure a tight seal.

"The stainless steel and the gravel bedding that was laid down also provide more structural support to that water main," Latimer said. "We'll probably never have to go back to that area for a break in the line."

Latimer encouraged Marysville residents to call the city if they spot water coming up from the ground onto the streets around town, because while it might simply be ground water rising to the surface, it could also be another water main break in another area.

"And when your water is restored after a break in the main is repaired, you might see air, milky-looking water or sediment at first," Latimer said. "Just let the tap run for a bit, and it'll clear out."

Contact Marysville Globe Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

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