UPDATE -- Repairs to 20-Inch Water Transmission Main Break on York Road Completed

Tuesday Jun 21st, 2016

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

As of 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, service was restored to all customers affected by the broken water transmission line. This included customers in the Mays Chapel area who were impacted when a water tank ran low and the pumping station for the tank turned off. That service was restored late on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 21. Service to the Sparks area was restored when water passing through the fixed pipe reached proper pressure. Customers are advised to let their water run until clear.

Contractors for Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) are working to repair a broken 20-inch water transmission main located at 13801 York Road in northern Baltimore County.

Work was slowed on Monday, June 20, due to the presence of a high-pressure gas main near the water main. Crews were able to expose the broken water main shortly before noon on June 21 in order to begin replacing that portion of the pipe. Work will continue as efficiently and safely as possible until the fix is secure and we are able to begin recharging the main with water.

As a result of the main break DPW has received multiple reports from area residents of water outages and low water pressure. Water levels in two holding tanks in the area – one in Sparks and one in Mays Chapel – have also fallen as a result of the main break.

DPW crews were able to refill the Mays Chapel reservoir by pumping water from Towson. They are now working to restart the pumping station at the reservoir in order to restore service to that area.

Once the York Road water main is repaired it will take additional time for the water main and the water tower in Sparks to fill with water and for water service to be fully restored.

Customers in the affected areas are advised to:

  • Use water only as necessary by limiting washing machine and dishwasher use and flushing toilets.
  • Do not do outside watering, car washing, power washing etc.
  • Customers who have lost water service should allow water to run through a sink or tub faucet, until it is clear, once service is restored. DPW will also open fire hydrants to clear the water lines.

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