WATER MAIN

An access hole several feet wide and several feet deep was opened up for the broken main to be addressed and a crew of more than a dozen workers operated pumps and equipment as the pressure was taken off the water main.

As crews worked, many in the surrounding area lost water pressure and a boil water notice was issued by the city for Lincoln Green, Locksley Way, and all of South Montgomery Street.

The boil water notice was still in place by press deadline on Wednesday night.

Kemp said so many experienced low water pressure in their homes because the particular break was between two main wells.

“This is an 8-inch main line that feeds this part of the area, we have isolated the best we can with valves and trying to open hydrants to get pressure off,” Kemp said. “We’re hoping once we get this repaired and fill it back up, hopefully the other lane (on South Montgomery) will be open fairly soon.”

The main point of access for Starkville Utilities came in the northbound lane, so the southbound lane will be used for traffic once the hole is filled.

Kemp said they worried about surface collapse at first, which prompted officials to close both lanes, but said the southbound lane was secure and would eventually be safe to drive on.

Kemp then said they hoped to get the access hole filled in before the end of Wednesday night.