City fixes broken water main in north Minneapolis

The pipe failed on Dec. 5.

December 11, 2022 at 10:48PM
The broken water main was a 36-inch-diameter cast iron pipe that served Minneapolis since 1888.  (City of Minneapolis/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minneapolis Public Works staff have repaired a broken water main that failed on Dec. 5, temporarily flooding streets and resulting in low water pressure to homes and businesses in north Minneapolis. A few businesses were without water for a time.

The break occurred about 5:45 p.m. in the 2900 block of 2nd Street N. The affected pipe was a 36-inch-diameter cast iron pipe dating back to 1888.

Residents of the area were also advised to boil their drinking and cooking water as a precaution on Tuesday in case bacteria had made its way into the water supply.

City crews have installed a 16-foot replacement pipe segment and disinfected the pipeline after finishing work, according to a news release from the city.

Staff also cleaned and restored 2nd Avenue N. and nearby streets so vehicles could resume driving in the area.

Affected residents and businesses were on the east side of Interstate 94 and included 80 single-family or duplex residences and Lowry Towers, a public housing building.

Water samples were collected from the fixed pipeline and passed compliance tests Sunday, the news release said.

The city was handing out bottled water to residents affected by the break at Farview Park.

about the writer

Erin Adler

Reporter

Erin Adler is a suburban reporter covering Dakota and Scott counties for the Star Tribune, working breaking news shifts on Sundays. She previously spent three years covering K-12 education in the south metro and five months covering Carver County.

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