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The first problem for Victoria residents came back on Jan. 15, when a water leak started on Main Street and 12th Street. Then a couple days later, there was a leak on 7th Street. Over the weekend, there was yet another leak, this time on 5th Street. The same thing happened in recent weeks to Kenbridge residents, who have dealt with multiple water leaks. 

So what’s causing the problem? Part of it you can blame on Mother Nature. 

“The leaks over the last weeks can be attributed to the cold weather,” said Victoria Town Manager Rodney Newton. 

As temperatures dipped into single digits at night several days, that caused issues with the water systems in both towns. That part is just sheer cold temperatures, colder than expected and the coldest in a while for both areas. 

A portion of damaged 6” iron pipe was removed and replaced during the repair last week on Elm St. in Kenbridge. Kenbridge Town Manager Tony Matthews said the break occurred at a joint where two pieces of pipe come together. He said there was no visible damage due to age but that even minor shifting of the earth and bad weather can cause iron piping to burst. 

“We were forced to turn water off to a section of town that is supplied by that line in order to make the repair,” Matthews told the Dispatch. “Once the repair was complete, we bleed the lines of air and returned the system to normal operation.”

Taking precautions against water leaks

It’s something the towns plan and prepare for, although fortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a return to the single digit temperatures anytime soon, at least not in the next two weeks according to the National Weather Service. Still, Matthews suggests that residents take some precautions of their own, to help protect the pipes. 

“This time of year seems to be conducive to water main problems,” Matthews said. “The weather also plays havoc for homeowners with freezing and potential bursting of pipes.  It is important to either insulate pipes well or make sure they are protected from the freezing weather if possible too.”

The temperature also affects the pipe systems because portions are still some of the oldest infrastructure in both towns. Each has been working to upgrade everything from the pipes to the monitoring equipment, but that takes time and money. 

Similarly, the water leak on 7th Street was repaired the same day it occurred. Town Manager Rodney Newton said that traffic interruptions were minimal with schools already closed and the only damage done to the area was for the road repair. Town maintenance crews attended to the water leak as they did with last week’s water leak as well. 

“The leaks over the last week can be attributed to the cold weather,” Newton informed the Dispatch. 

Residents effected by the outage and repair on today may see discoloration or sediment in their water. The Town is advising those impacted to run their faucets to clear the water lines before use. No additional work is necessary on the impacted water line currently.

The town of Victoria has urged anyone with concerns to reach out to the Victoria Town Office at (434) 696-2343.