Weather cited as possible factor in Columbia water main breaks

Officials at Columbia’s Water and Light Department have released information on what led to a series of water main breaks on Thursday.

Downtown Columbia was hit first with two water main breaks. One break closed Hitt St. between Broadway and Cherry; the other closed Walnut St. between Eighth and Ninth.Worley St. and West Boulevard had breaks as well.

According to Water and Light, water towers and reservoirs are filled in the evening, and that process may have caused a pressure surge. That, in turn, could have caused older cast iron pipes to break at any weak areas.

The department also cites recent weather conditions as another possible cause. The high clay content in area soil can cause ground shifts during times of extreme weather or moisture content changes.

Boil advisories remain in effect after the main breaks.The boil advisories are for the areas of 825 E Walnut St., 812 Worley St. and 911 S. West Boulevard.

Water tests for contamination take 24 hours to complete; that means the advisories will continue into early Saturday morning.

Editor’s Note: The 500 block of W. Worley St. was closed off for the water main break at 812 Worley St.