Annual Report - Louisville Metro Government

were able to isolate the main within two hours since key valves were accessible.The gas main was
isolated in approximately four hours.
The customer impact in this instance was not as profound.Approximately 400 customers were under
a Boil Water Advisory for nearly two days and 12 customers were temporarily without water due to
an eight-inch water main that was also broken by the 48-inch main break.
repairS
There were some unexpected moments on the morning after the break when a large oak tree located
on the edge of the 60-foot wide pit fell. No one was injured. Louisville Metro Parks’ crews cut up
and removed the large tree.
As Southern Pipeline Construction Inc. mobilized for repairs, initial work included stabilizing the
site to protect the foundation of a home on Eastern Parkway.We removed approximately 40-feet of
damaged main by August 16 and began installing new pipe.The repaired main was refilled and disin-
fected by August 21.We completed our work at this site by September 5 which included repairing a
joint leak that was discovered just east of the break site.
This section of the 48-inch main was installed in 1923 and had been cleaned and cement lined
in 1989. While we are able to assess the condition of much of the water main in our system, the
technology for cast iron main is not as developed. Louisville Water engineers are reviewing avail-
able technology and are looking to incorporate electronic leak detection for this type of main in
the future.
A large tree fell into the pit of the main break Crews install a new section of 48-inch water main
along Eastern Parkway
The restored site of the August 11 main break
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