Pipe bursts near state street

Home City News Pipe bursts near state street

On Feb. 4, a water pipe on Buena Vista Drive burst and left approximately 20 residents to be without water for several hours.

Annette Kinney, chief financial manager and assistant director of the Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities, said the break was caused by the cold weather.

“Frost can get down in the ground around the pipes and cause them to shift and break,” Kinney said. “It happens frequently this time of year.”

The portion of Buena Vista above the burst pipe was damaged when crews had to remove asphalt to access the pipe. This area of Buena Vista Street had recently been repaved during the $750,000 State Street project that concluded in October of last year. The damaged area of the street will be filled with loose rock until crews can repave it in the spring, Kinney said.  The cost of this work will be covered by the Board of Utilities which is funded by residents’ utility fees.

Some residents who were affected have questioned if the pipe should have been replaced while crews were working on the road last fall.

Kinney said flaws caused by inclement weather can affect any pipes, even brand new ones.

—Written by Shaun Lichti