A stretch of water main under a Charleswood street will be replaced this year due to “rapid decline” and a dozen leaks since Dec. 29, which have affected close to 40 homes, said the City of Winnipeg.
“The section of water main on Laxdal Road between Ridgewood Avenue and Beiko Avenue, originally installed in 1970, is at the end of its service life and will be replaced as part of the City’s 2014 Water Main Renewal Program,” said the City of Winnipeg in a release on Jan. 20.
The 12 leaks from the water main interrupted water service for up to 38 homes.
The city called the number of leaks “unusually high” for such a short span of time.
The city said the rapid decline in the Laxdal Road water main means it has added it to the 2014 water main renewal program, giving it the “highest priority.” Previously, it had been scheduled for replacement in 2015.
About 400 metres of water main on Laxdal Road will be replaced, at a cost of close to $500,000.
A tender for work on the Laxdal water main will be in the first package of the season issued by city.
“Construction can begin no sooner than late April or early May, as the frost must be out of the ground and overnight temperatures do not drop below freezing, to avoid the risk of temporary water service lines freezing,” said the city.
The city said police had to be called in to deal with an angry resident during the weekend water main break on Laxdal.
Others who spoke to CTV News Monday were more understanding, but still want it fixed soon.
"I guess you can say we're frustrated with the number of breaks that are in here," said John Inglis, a homeowner in the area. "I felt sorry for the workers. No sooner did they repair another one - they turn the water on and bang, (there's) another (leak)," said Inglis.
