KINGSTON -- Crews are working round the clock on a massive water main break in Luzerne County that caused serious problems on this scorching hot day.
A 30-inch main in Kingston broke just before 2 a.m. Tuesday.
6,600 homes and businesses on the west side of the Wyoming Valley were affected, including Kingston, Luzerne and parts of Edwardsville. Businesses were closed. People were left scrambling for water.
Pennsylvania American Water crews will be working round the clock until the repairs are made.
The water gushed down the streets and pavement in Kingston, a river in some spots eroding the ground so much that the front wheel of a Pennsylvania American Water truck fell into a hole.
The water main break affected county business with the courthouse and annex buildings closed.
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water say the broken 30-inch water main at Mercer Avenue and West Walnut Street in Kingston dates back to 1889. They say each year, the company spends around $10-$15 million to update infrastructure, but they can't get to everything.
"We replace about 15 to 17 miles a year. That equates to about 1 percent of our pipe. In Pennsylvania alone, we have 1,700 miles of pipe underground," said Susan Turcmanovich with Pennsylvania American Water.
The water company set up tankers at four locations to serve those left dry because of the break.
But some say the tankers weren't at the locations when they stopped by, perhaps being refilled.
That caused frustration.
"I can't run every day, several times a day trying to find water tankers if there is none available or not where they say they are going to be. Don't say that bottom line!" Edward Kates of Edwardsville said.
Water company officials said most customers have water restored although their pressure may be low or the water discolored until repairs are complete. That is expected to be late Wednesday.
Water tankers will remain set up until service has been restored to all customers.
Those tankers are located at:
- Gateway Shopping Center, Edwardsville
- Kingston DPW Building, 3rd Avenue, Kingston
- Intersection of Walnut and Wyoming Avenue, Kingston
- Luzerne Shopping Center, Luzerne
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