water main break

Water main break affecting homes across Montgomery County

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

West Conshohocken water main break: Walter Perez reports on Action News at 4 p.m., January 2, 2018

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A 30-inch water main break is causing major issues across Montgomery County.

Aqua Water says around 6 a.m. Tuesday they received calls for a water main break under Balligomingo Road near Front Street in West Conshohocken. It caused the road to buckle and a power line to come down. There is also a gas main near the scene.

Water main break creates issues in Montgomery County. Walter Perez reports during Action News at Noon on January 2, 2018.

The break is impacting Lower Merion, Bryn Mawr, Conshohocken and also parts of Glenside and Cheltenham Township.

Water pressure has been reduced for more than 1,000 customers. Power is out for people in the immediate area.

Aqua says some customers may see brown water. They say those residents should let the water run to flush their systems.

Among the hardest hit by the break is the Summerwood corporate office building in West Conshohocken. That's because that building just happens to be located about 90 feet downstream from where the main ruptured.

"Flooded everything out here," said Pete Toner, of Summerwood Corp. "Came through the building and out the back door. We are going to run off a generator and they are going to have to work around the clock to get that fixed."

Chopper 6 Video: Water main break in Montgomery County on January 2, 2018.

Utility crews have been able to shut down the main which had been spewing tremendous amounts of water from the broken pipe.

Meanwhile, more than 1000 homes and businesses have had to deal with low water pressure since the main ruptured early this morning.

And some of those customers, like Patty Bowa of West Conshohocken, have NO water service.

"We don't have any young children in the house but I can't imagine if, you know, for parents who do," said Bowa. "I can't imagine the hardship. This is crazy."

Overall, the break is affecting water service in Lower Merion, Bryn Mawr and Conshohocken along with sections of Glenside and Cheltenham Township.

Water company officials are asking those customers for a little patience.

"Since this morning the pressure has begun to build up and recover and we're hoping to be back up within a 24 hour period," said Mike Fili, with Aqua Water Co. "We hope to be back up to full pressure and the leak repaired."

Aqua said water pressure should be restored to all customers by 6 p.m. Wednesday. There is no word on when Balligomingo Road will reopen.

A cause is under investigation, though it is believed the cold weather was the reason.