Water main breaks in downtown Lynchburg

A water main break in downtown Lynchburg tied up traffic on Concord Turnpike for several hours Thursday as city utility workers repaired the pipe.

Utilities Director Timothy Mitchell said the break occurred in a 12-inch water main on Garnet Street, just prior to its intersection with Concord Turnpike.

He said as of about 5:30 p.m., the break had cost the city somewhere between 1 million and 2 million gallons of water.

Mitchell estimated the repairs to the water line would be finished late Thursday night.

Repairs to Garnet Street, he said, should be finished sometime today.

External pressure combined with the age of the pipe to cause a split in a six-foot area of the line.

Mitchell said some downtown residents experienced discolored water.

He advised against running hot water if it is discolored, because it accumulates in the water heater.

Residents should run cold water through a tap until it appears clear, Mitchell said.