Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Water Restored to People Affected by Clayton Road Main Break

Road repairs were expected to wrap up late Monday night, a Missouri American Water representative said.

Water has been restored to Missouri American Water customers affected Monday afternoon by a water main break on Clayton Road just east of Hanley Road, a utility representative stated.

The water was turned back on as of about 9:35 p.m. Monday, and road repairs were expected to be finished by 11:30 p.m., Ann Dettmer said.

The break happened at about 2:30 p.m. and had closed all lanes of westbound Clayton Road, Community Services Officer Korey Golcynski of the said. Missouri American Water was on the scene.

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Traffic was diverted to Westwood Drive, but that street is small and can only handle a limited number of vehicles.

People traveling home from work were encouraged to avoid westbound Clayton Road. Drivers were asked to access Highway 40 by traveling south on Big Bend Boulevard.

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It did not appear many residents were without water, Dettmer said, and the structure of the system can sometimes allow water to be rerouted to those who are affected.

Pavement damage occurred in the area, she said. The water main that broke was installed in 1912.

The break came on the same day as a at McKelvey Elementary School.

Several factors probably were at play, Dettmer said, including this summer's drought. That has caused soil to dry, shift and crack, leading water mains to crack in turn.

Missouri American Water will spend $53 million this year to upgrade water mains, which should result in fewer breaks, Dettmer said. The utility maintains 4,200 miles of piping which, if placed from end to end, would stretch from St. Louis to London.


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