As winter temperatures quickly approach, The Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to remind residents that water main breaks are common during this time of year. However, residents of PWD can rest assured that the District’s skilled and highly trained staff is well-equipped to respond immediately to any such emergencies. The District’s staff is capable of quickly addressing these potentially emergency situations to a degree where nearby residents may not even know a break has occurred.

“Regions like ours, that experience extremely cold weather, are no stranger to water main breaks,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “The Plainview Water District is proud to have a team of experienced professionals who respond to water breaks 24/7. Our team is dedicated to resolving any water-related issues that may arise, ensuring that residents’ water service is restored promptly.”

As the case with all cold-weather climates, water main breaks are an unfortunate reality as they typically occur when there is movement in the soil surrounding the water pipes or a freeze/thawing condition. Water mains are installed below the frost line; however, when the soil shrinks or swells it places pressure on the pipes causing a break. Though the length of time to repair a leak varies from incident to incident depending on its severity and how quickly the leak can be located, PWD employees are trained to repair all types of breaks efficiently, quickly and safely.

“Although the District has implemented measures to detect main breaks as soon as possible, there are instances where they may go undetected due to various factors,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “If you suspect a water main break or any water-related problem in your home or community, please do not hesitate to contact us to report the situation.”

When water service is restored, residents may notice air in their pipes and the water may be discolored. The discoloration is not harmful, but can stain laundry. If you experience discolored water, let the cold water run from a faucet or tub at the closest area to your incoming service line for a few minutes or until it clears.

“Residents may experience a decrease in water pressure or discolored water due to water main breaks,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Ensuring minimal interruptions to residents’ water service is of utmost importance at PWD. As such, our staff is committed to responding quickly to any breaks that occur, with dedicated crews assigned to this task around the clock.”

The Plainview Water District asks for residents’ help in reporting potential main breaks. Residents that notice areas of wetness along the curb, bubbling of water in the roadway or unexplainable icy conditions are encouraged to contact the Plainview Water District immediately at 516-931-6469.

If you have questions about preparing your home’s water system for the winter or general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive updates by filling out the form at www.plainviewwater.org or by following the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.

When maintenance is being performed residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration primarily consists of harmless rust particles and does not affect the safety of the water. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been testing hydrants in your neighborhood, it is best to run your cold water tap at the lowest point of your home for 2 minutes or until it clears up.

Questions about hydrant testing can be directed to our customer service representatives by calling 516-931-6469 between the hours of 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday.

As seen in The Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald January 16 – 22, 2019

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald January 9 – 15, 2019