KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - UPDATE: Water Service Restored

UPDATE: Water Service Restored

UPDATE:

Residents who lost water Monday were able to take showers Tuesday morning.

The City of Wichita says water service was restored around 11pm Monday. Officials say the line was about 50 years old. Combined with hot weather, officials say thats what caused the break.

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by Rebecca Gannon

(WICHITA, Kan.)

More than 18 hours without water on one of the hottest days of the year. On Monday night, dozens of Wichita homes are still water-less, with no telling if it will be back on by morning.

75 homes and businesses can blame a water main break at Maize and Texas in West Wichita near Maple and Maize.

The extreme temperatures may have caused the ground to shift breaking the main. The city hoped to have the problem fixed by one Monday afternoon. But equipment problems delayed the project until 8, then 10, and now, Tuesday.

Monday was not a day many people wanted to go without water. "Can't get a shower and it's hot. Can't get any clean drinking water," explained Jim Aronis with sweat dripping off his face around 6 Monday evening.

Despite the perspiration soaking through is shirt, Bill Morris described Monday as "well, it's been -- kind of dry." He then followed it with a dry laugh.

Thanks to an excess of water in a ditch near Maize and Maple -- about 75 West Wichita homes dealt with no water.

The main broke around 4 Monday morning. 13 hours later - the city provided palates of bottled water for parched people. And with water, came water carriers. "I'm hauling this water down to the people at the other end of the condos," Aronis explained as he wiped the sweat off his head, and grabbed a package of bottled water. "We got a couple older people down there, and one young man who just got out of the hospital. I'll haul some water down to them. About all we can do."

Gayle and Dan Poole bought their own bottled water, and took the free water provided by the city. They also turned to their neighborhood pool for some relief. With jugs and buckets in tow, they filled the containers with a few extra gallons of water for household uses.

"I got four gallons of water out of the swimming pool, and put it in one of one of the toilets," explained Gayle. "That took care of one flush. And then the water was all gone."

But a lack of water provided people with a new insight Monday.

Richard Webb smiled through the heat and said, "our air conditioner's working, so we're okay." He also showered at his health club earlier Monday morning.

"It was an annoyance" admitted Poole. "But, you know, things happen, and we know things will get resolved sooner or later."

"We're okay, everybody's alright," said Aronis. "You just kind of live and go with the punches."

And hope the next time you turn on the faucet, water comes out.

by Nathan Navrat (WICHITA, Kan.)

About 75 Wichita Water customers are without water Monday morning after a water main breaks near Maple and Texas.

Wichita Water Utilities crews now estimate that the water main break that occurred early this morning at the intersection of Maple and Texas won't be repaired until 8 p.m. this evening. The city says the added time is due mainly to the depth of the main that is located at least 12 feet underground.

Until then northbound lanes of Maize Road between Douglas and Maple will be closed.

Areas without water are:

• 10623 Douglas to Maize Road
• 242 N. Mesa Street to Maize Road
• 10514 to 10532 W. Millpond Street
• 10628 to 10515 W. Foxchase Street
• Northeast corner of Maple and Maize

The cause of the break has not been determined.