Heat triggers weekend water, power issues
Staff writer
High temperatures were the likely cause of water and power failures Saturday.
Public works director Marty Fredrickson said a water main break in the 200 block of West Santa Fe St. required excavation and replacement of a clamp at a joint in the pipe. The main serves the valley area of town, from 5th St. to Vine St. and Willard St. to Forrest St.
City employees worked from 7:15 a.m. to noon to repair the leak and restore water flow.
“There was 30 minutes we had to shut it down before we put the clamp on,” Fredrickson said.
Residents watering grass because of recent hot weather likely put added stress on the main, Fredrickson said.
Similarly, high electricity use to keep buildings cool caused brownouts when a fuse at a city substation failed and had to be replaced.
“With this hotter weather, it can stress the equipment because of the heavy load,” Fredrickson said.
Fredrickson added that reducing electricity use during high-demand periods such 3 to 6 p.m. could reduce consumers’ electricity bills and lessen demand on city electrical equipment.