Water main break in Alameda repaired after causing sinkholes, road closures

ALAMEDA, Calif. - A water main broke in Alameda on Sunday, causing streets to flood and authorities to close sections of road has been repaired, officials say.

The Alameda Fire Department was alerted just before 5:30 p.m. to the break near Webster Street and Buena Vista Avenue, according to a department statement.

The fire department reported that the break resulted in flooding and small sinkholes in the area, and authorities closed Webster Street between Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway and Pacific Avenue to allow Alameda Public Works Department crews to repair the water main.

EBMUD officials said an 85-year-old, 12-inch pipe burst, which crews found at 10 p.m. Sunday. Crews worked until around 9 a.m. to fix the pipeline. 

Four customers, including three businesses and one residence, were out of water on Webster Street. Service for those customers was restored late Monday morning. EBMUD said the lines were flushed and the water quality was tested. There were also reports of low pressure in the area and farther from the area, but the pressure has since been restored, officials said. 

The eastbound lanes of Webster Street were still closed during Monday's evening commute for emergency repaving. 

The cause of the break is under investigation. 

Officials said there are several reasons as to why a pipe can break, including soil movement, corrosion and age. EBMUD said they are in charge of 4,200 miles of pipeline under the streets of the East Bay and work proactively to invest in replacement every year. 

They added, "However, because this vital infrastructure is below ground, it is not possible to know exactly when or why a pipe breaks. To get ahead of these disruptive emergency repairs, EBMUD is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to replace 25 miles of pipeline per year before they break, using the most advanced pipe materials."