For Immediate Release - Update: Water Main Breaks - February 15, 2024

Town of Middlebury Asks Public to Continue Conserving Water Due to Water Main Breaks, Follow Precautionary Boil Water Advisories

Unprecedented number breaks and leaks caused by rare “pressure wave” created by an infrastructure-related incident; Local declaration of emergency request submitted to Governor Scott; Precautionary boil water advisories updated at townofmiddlebury.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Tom Hanley, Interim Emergency Management Director, (802) 771-7083

Middlebury, Vermont, February 15: The Town of Middlebury wants to take this opportunity to provide a detailed update on the infrastructure incident that has caused an unprecedented number of breaks and leaks throughout the town over the last three weeks and has resulted in several precautionary boil water advisories being issued throughout the town’s service area.

First, the boil water advisories, which instruct consumers in the listed areas to boil their water for one minute before consumption, are strictly being issued as a precaution because periods of low or no pressure caused by a break or leak increase the very low probability that outside contaminants could enter a water system. In all cases, when breaks are repaired, lines are flushed, and disinfecting chlorine residuals are confirmed before restoring service. In cases involving boil water notices, water samples are taken after repairs are made for laboratory analysis and boil water notices are lifted after acceptable results are received from the lab.

A regularly updated list of advisories continues to be available on the homepage of the town’s website – townofmiddlebury.org – and town crews have been personally notifying citizens located within the precautionary boil water advisory areas both when the advisories are issued and when they’re lifted.

Combined with the varying ages and materials of the town’s mains - some are made of cast iron and approaching 100 years old – the nature of the “pressure wave” has made it difficult to predict when the breaks and leaks will fully subside.

As the town’s crews have been working extreme hours to make repairs, it appeared last week that the number of breaks and leaks was dropping and that the event was ending. Unfortunately, the number increased again, leading the town to issue this update. While water service has been fully restored at this time, we want to inform the public that breaks and leaks could occur throughout the rest of the winter.

As a result of the situation, the town has submitted a request for a “local declaration of emergency” from Governor Phil Scott. If granted, the town will receive additional assistance from the state, including the possible delivery of potable water for citizens without water.

An initial investigation has revealed the breaks and leaks were likely caused by a surge in water flow created by a fire hydrant that froze in an open position. After the hydrant thawed, water flowed through it to such a high rate that it caused a “pressure wave” throughout the town’s system, damaging mains and further weakening infrastructure in susceptible areas. An outside engineering firm has been retained and the investigation will continue to fully confirm the cause and assist with system maintenance concerns and future planning.

The town understands the incident has caused a great deal of inconvenience to our citizens, and we thank them for their continued patience as our crews work to repair the unprecedented number of breaks and leaks. Water conservation remains integral to the town’s ability to manage this situation and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

The townofmiddlebury.org homepage will continue regularly updating residents with the latest information about the incident, the locations of breaks and leaks, the precautionary boil water advisories that are in effect, and when the advisories have been lifted.

Potable Water Source

Potable (drinkable) water may be obtained 24 X 7 at the Middlebury Police Department at 1 Lucius Shaw Lane and M-F between 8:30 – 3:30 at the Department of Public Works on Route 7, South. You will need to bring containers to fill. The Town is in the process of seeking bulk quantities of ‘bottle’ water and will publish a notification if and when that water is available.

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