
As each leak is repaired, new ones continue to appear and this is not only wasting treated water but also puts the town’s water supply at risk.
The town of Steady Brook is asking for emergency funding from the government to replace a 900-foot section of water main. Over the past 6 weeks, work has been ongoing to locate and repair leaks that have caused the town’s water system to run at twice its normal volume. As each leak is repaired, new ones continue to appear and this is not only wasting treated water but also puts the town’s water supply at risk. There are several problems: sections of waterline laid directly on bedrock and cliffs, undocumented water and electrical lines, leaking previous repairs, and outdated or non-approved connections. The existing pipe is also thinner than current standards. The plan is to install a new, code-compliant line adjacent to the existing one, with installation scheduled for mid-September during a planned water shutdown. In the meantime, temporary repairs require another water shutdown tomorrow. (Wednesday)