Huge water main break in Longueuil

Posted By: Laura Casella · 9/19/2012 1:11:00 PM

More than a dozen homes have been damaged by a massive water main break in  Longueuil this morning. 

It took workers six hours to stop the flow of the water that spilled onto the streets and into homes. 

It happened right at Roland Therrien Blvd and Desormeaux.

Looking down at her flooded basement, Gyslene Lachance had to fight back tears. Everything in her basement including her expensive comic book series could be seen floating in the water.

"I feel terrible she says, really bad. I never expected this to happen."

Longueuil officials are not sure what caused the 30-year old watermain to break. Spokesperson Jacques Tetrault explains why it took so long to cap.

"There are many arteries leading to this main watermain," he says, "and there was a lot of water in the area where the plumbing is located."

Workers will be spending the day pumping water out of homes. The extent of the damage not yet known.

Video/Photos: Laura Casella

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  1. Darren posted on 09/19/2012 08:43 AM
    It says the workers are "unable" to stop the flow of water??!! Does this water come from some uncontrollable natural source? Umm, maybe shut a valve or turn off a pump? I think inconveniencing a bunch of people by shutting off the supply is better than letting some people's basements be destroyed. No wonder the province's water networks are failing; nobody knows how to operate them properly. In the video, they're all just standing around looking at it. What are they waiting for, the St Lawrence river to run out of water?
  2. bonnie posted on 09/19/2012 07:27 PM
    Doesn't quite work like that. Some of the system is built to last as long as there is constant pressure. Turning pressure off and on would cause hundreds of new ruptures all over the place.

    There are also mission critical systems that require the water to keep flowing.

    If your neighbors house caught fire while the water was off and the flames were about to jump to your home I am pretty sure you wouldnt give a rats ass about an insured basement.
  3. Darren posted on 09/20/2012 09:07 AM
    So the pipes are only structurally sound if there's stuff in them? Sounds like mighty poor design to me. I guess that contract went to the lowest bidder all right.

    And it took six hours to do something about it? Seems like they need better contingency plans. I'm sure they'll just sweep it under the rug; "Oops, sorry, destroyed your car / livingspace / personal momentos. We'll try our darndest not to do that again."

    Insurance can take care of drywall and wood, but it can't replace everything. I guess it's their fault for keeping irreplaceable items in their basements. Those idiots.
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