Milwaukee water main breaks; nearly 100 reported in January

Milwaukee water main breaks

There have been around 100 water main breaks in a month and Milwaukee Water Works says it's unusual, but they are prepared.

MILWAUKEE - There have been around 100 water main breaks in a month and Milwaukee Water Works says it's unusual, but they are prepared. 

Water main trouble

What we know:

Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Patrick Pauly said there have been nearly 100 water main breaks in January alone. He said that’s well above average.

What they're saying:

"It’s out of the ordinary but nothing we aren’t prepared for," Pauly said. "We’re hoping for some relief with the better forecast ahead of us."

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

It's been non-stop work for crews.

Reason for water main breaks?

The recent negative temperatures and lack of snow could be to blame.

Pauly said snow insulates the ground, but there's a caveat. 

Why you should care:

"When the frost comes out of the ground, that also can provide stress to the pipes and cause higher incidents of main breaks," Pauly said.

In the last month, one organization, Get the Lead Out Coalition, is seeing that increase too, with people reporting up to three water main breaks a week, like one near 27th and Howard.

Robert Miranda is the leader for the Get the Lead Out Coalition. He worries these water main breaks could lead to lead in drinking water.

What they're saying:

"The water mains are old. And we have to do something about fixing these water mains," Miranda said. "My focus is to make sure that the water works emphasizes to the public that filters must be employed."

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Local perspective:

Pauly said if you live on a lead-pipe line, you will be alerted with a flyer and a door knock. But that majority of the problematic pipes are copper, replaced back in the 40s and 50s. 

"I think the risks of lead release from lead flaking or lead particles is far less if you have a copper service instead of a lead service line," Pauly said.

Report a water main break

What you can do:

To report a water main break, call the Milwaukee Water Works 24-hour Control Center at 414-286-3710.