Waukesha — An estimated 1.5 million gallons of water have poured out of a long crack in a water main along St. Paul Ave. Friday, causing a drop in residential and commercial water pressure throughout the central city, Water Utility Administrative Services Manager Donna Scholl said.
The pipe break at St. Paul Ave., immediately north of Wisconsin Ave. downtown, was discovered about 2 a.m. Friday and crews have excavated pavement and soil around a long section of the main to determine the extent of the crack, Scholl said. The pipe was continuing to leak water at 9:30 a.m. and the break was not under control at that time.
Callers complaining of loss of pressure and rust in water had overwhelmed utility phone lines, Scholl said. Complaints had come from as far east of downtown as Carroll University.