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UPDATE: 5 Water Main Breaks Cause Flooding, Transportation Issues in Geneva

UPDATE: 5 Water Main Breaks Cause Flooding, Transportation Issues in Geneva

/ May 10, 2019 / Comments Off on UPDATE: 5 Water Main Breaks Cause Flooding, Transportation Issues in Geneva / Breaking News, Communities, Consumers, Education, Government, Homeowners, Police & Fire, Public Safety, Public Service, Schools, Transportation, WK-Communities
  • 3PM FRIDAY, MAY 10, UPDATE

A significant water main break closed Western Avenue from the Union Pacific railroad tracks to Cheever Avenue — one of five water main breaks Thursday (May 9, 2019) in Geneva.

During the morning, the Geneva Police Department set up barricades and helped direct traffic around the Western Avenue closure, while the city’s Public Works Department responded to the problem.

The 12-inch water main break started at 6:10 a.m. and flooded the area around Western Avenue, Cheever Street and Dunstan Road. The water levels were reported to be 2 feet to 3 feet deep in spots.

The Geneva Park District and Geneva Community Unit School District 304 notified residents of the situation, given the close proximity of the Sunset Community Center and Western Avenue School.

The Public Works Department also responded to four other substantial water main breaks Thursday: at Western Avenue near Cheever Avenue, Dodson Street near Harrison Street School, the 500 block of Forest View Drive, and Woodward Avenue near Route 31, the city said in a series of news alerts.

Harrison Street and Western Avenue schools, and the Geneva Park District’s Sunset Community Center all had running water.

City officials say the water is safe to drink, but residents may want to let their cold water run for a little bit until the color clears up.

As of Thursday, the Park District was asking patrons to park in the south lot by the athletic fields and access Sunset Community Center by walking along the path to the building.

Geneva’s Public Works Department crews were able to stop the flooding and reopen all the roadways during the morning.

All five breaks were repaired by 3 p.m. Friday, May 11.

Cause Still Unknown

The city said the cause of the Western Avenue water main incident remains under investigation.

The break was severe enough to cause flow and pressure variations across Geneva’s entire water system, initially resulting in two other water main breaks on Dodson Street near Harrison Street School and Woodlawn Avenue.

The Forest View Drive water main break also is likely related since the water system pressure remains unsettled from the breaks and repair work, city officials said.

What’s Next

No boil orders were issued for residential customers, and all repairs have been completed as of Friday afternoon.

The Public Works Department will continue to monitor and evaluate the city’s water system throughout the rest of May 10. Residents who have questions or concerns can call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501.

If residents notice any other water main breaks after-hours, please call the Geneva Police Department non-emergency phone number at 630-232-4736. Police will then dispatch the appropriate Public Works Department personnel.

SOURCE: city of Geneva alerts

 

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