Daily Staff Writer

City of Ames Utility Maintenance restored water mains servicing parts of Campustown last Thursday after City Plumbing, a privately owned company, knocked out water service to the area for nearly three hours.

Bob Kindred, assistant city manager, said City Plumbing was digging a hole at Cy’s Roost, 121 Welch Ave., when its equipment accidentally tore out three water pipes servicing Welch Avenue from Knapp Street to Lincoln Way.

Water service to the three-block area was shut off at about 9:30 a.m. and restored just before noon.

Kindred said city crews were called out to shut off the water veins so City Plumbing could pump out the hole and repair the lines.

City of Ames workers distributed bottled water to affected businesses during the time water service was disrupted and flushed water lines after the repairs to wash any accumulated mud or contaminants from the system.

Kindred said damage to main water pipes does not happen often, but it is important to the city to get the problem taken care of quickly.

“Our greatest concern is always just to get all our customers back in service,” he said. “The first thought is always getting things corrected.”

Kindred said City Plumbing will not be fined for breaking the pipes but will be charged for the time and costs the City of Ames acquired in servicing the problem.

He was unsure what the total charge would be.