Water Main Breach Could Impact North Natomas

Water from pipeline breach bubbles out of the ground. / Photo by Jeremiah McWright

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Natomas-area residents are being asked to watch their water use after a city contractor accidentally breached an area water main earlier today.

A contractor was performing work for the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District this morning when it breached a water pipe, city spokesperson Jessica Hess said. It is believed the contractor, which was working on a waste-water main that runs nearby, was probing when the water pipe was hit, she said.

Parking lot off Truxel & Arena. / Photo by J. McWright

“While the city does not anticipate any supply issues, as a precaution it is asking the North Natomas community to reduce water use to help ensure adequate supply and pressure continue to be available in the system,” read a press release issued this afternoon by the city Utilities Department.

The breach occurred on Reclamation District 1000 property adjacent to the East Drainage Canal, east of of Truxel Road and south of Arena Boulevard.

The large transmission main supplies water to distribution lines which bring water to approximately 27,000 homes and businesses in the Natomas area. The pipe is about 13 feet below the surface.

Work to patch the pipe is under way, but area residents are being asked to reduce their water usage for the next 24 to 48 hours as a precautionary measure. City officials said they planned to to notify area residents of the breach and need to conserve water via a reverse 911 call.

City crews will be on the scene working on repairs over the next several days. RD 1000 is helping address the break, city officials said.

Residents are encouraged to reduce water usage through various ways such as:

• Limiting or avoiding watering lawns or washing cars during this time.
• Running major appliances with full loads before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. for optimum water and energy savings
• Turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, washing hands or scrubbing dishes