By Andrew Hackmack
Water poured out for about an hour before crews were able to shut down the line.
Long Island American Water was called to the scene immediately to turn off and repair the main. Bill Varley, president of the Lynbrook-based company, said 11 houses were affected. Bottled water was delivered to those homes immediately, he said, and another delivery was made in the afternoon. Water was restored by the evening.
The 16-inch water main was underneath a stream bed, according to Village Clerk Vinny Ang. The break occurred right where the line ends, he said.
The area around the bridge quickly flooded and part of the walkway around the pond collapsed. Ang said village crews began repairing the walk immediately and expect to have it re-opened by early next week.
Village workers exercised some quick thinking after the main broke, Ang said, by laying down cement blocks in the flowing water's path. That caused the water to fan out rather than spraying to just one area.
There were concerns over a gas line underneath the water main but it was unaffected. Ang said the stream restoration project will be put on hold until after all repairs are made from Tuesday's main break.
