HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville Utilities says the city has more than 1,000 miles of water mains, with more than 24,000 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) pumped daily. They've recently responded to two water main breaks in the area. One affecting service near Airport Road between Memorial Parkway and Whitesburg Drive. Another along Hobbs Island around Ditto Landing.
Gary Whitley, Huntsville Utilities Community Relations Manager, says, "Anything can cause a water main to break. That is why our Huntsville Utilities water crews are on standby, ready to go 24 seven to respond anytime we have an issue with water."
Water Finance and Management says around 260,000 water main breaks happen annual in the U.S. and Canada. Officials say it could have something to do with people enjoying the summer sun. Whitley says, "This time of the year people are watering grass, enjoying outdoor activities, outdoor recreation, having fun with water and using water."
The United States Environmental Protection Agency says outdoor water use accounts for almost 8 billion gallons of water every day, which is more than what people use for showers and washing clothes combined.
Huntsville Utilities Officials also say it could have something to do with the heat. "This time of the year, as the weather changes, sometimes the ground will shift and disturb pipe and will cause water mains to possibly break. Heat impacts the ground and can cause the ground to shift. Therefore, the pipe to shift. That could lead to a break as well," says Whitley.
Short Elliot Henderson says water main breaks can also be caused by pipe age, pressure changes, constructions and other reasons.