Freezing Temps Leads To Spike In Water Main Breaks

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- These temperatures are wreaking havoc on water mains and water pipes. There are thousands of problems around the Baltimore area---and it's not getting any better.

Christie Ileto has the warning to homeowners.

It started on the sidewalk, then spread to the street.

"That one right here, started this morning," said resident Edward Anders.

Residents on Ash Street say water's been gushing out of the road since Friday---one of several water mains across the city.

"I'm [angry]. I want something done," Anders said. "The ice is forming every time it gets cold."

The city turned off the water---but not before water flooded the basements of several homes.

In the last week, the Department of Public Works has responded to nearly 5,000 water-related calls in the area, most dealing with no water or water leaks.

"We couldn't cook. We had to use snow to flush the toilet," said Deborah Lloyd.

Lloyd just got her water turned back on.

All around the region, we're seeing water gushing out, damaging sidewalks, streets, homes---and with temperatures falling again, DPW fears it could only get worse.

"If there's water that's sitting in here, there's nowhere for it to go but out," said Jeffrey Raymond, DPW. "Keep a thin stream of water moving through your faucets and it shouldn't break them."

Crews struggle to keep up with the call volume that saw over 1,300 requests for service Friday.

"We want to make sure we chip into that backlog as quickly as we can," Raymond said.

Still, a roller coaster range of temperatures means new headaches for homeowners and a problem that won't go away anytime soon.

"I'm worried about the foundation crumbling," one said.

DPW has also asked homeowners to shut off water to outside faucets.