Bloomington, Ind., works to replace aging pipes after 30-plus water main breaks

(UI) — A growing number of water main failures in Bloomington this year is drawing attention to the city's aging water infrastructure, according to WRTV.

As of mid-April, the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) has addressed 32 separate water main breaks. The most recent incident, which occurred in the Gentry neighborhood on April 16, prompted a temporary boil water advisory due to a drop in water pressure.

CBU spokesperson Holly McLaughlin told WRTV that the issue began during equipment testing on a water line. The pressure from turning a long-untouched valve caused heavily corroded bolts to fail.

“The bolts were so deteriorated that they crumbled and detached when the valve was turned,” McLaughlin told WRTV.

The utility was able to complete repairs within a few hours, and water service has since returned to normal for affected residents, according to local reports.

McLaughlin noted that the situation highlights the challenges of maintaining century-old infrastructure, WRTV reported. Some of the city's cast iron water lines date back to the early 1900s and, surprisingly, have proven more durable than newer materials installed decades later.

Funding for these repairs comes from water service fees, which increased at the beginning of the year. McLaughlin said while rate hikes can be unpopular, they help prevent larger system failures by supporting critical maintenance work.

“Infrastructure is easy to overlook until something goes wrong,” she told WRTV. “If we’re not making headlines, it usually means the system is running as it should.”

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