TAMPA — This week’s cold snap is expected to keep the city of Tampa’s utility crews busy over the next few days.
The city is bracing for another spike in water main breaks as temperatures climb from this morning’s near record lows and another round of cold weather Friday morning, said water department director Chuck Weber.
The city is typically working on fewer than 10 active breaks at any given time, Weber said. After this month’s first cold snap about two weeks ago, that number climbed to nearly 60. Nearly all of those have been repaired.
As of Thursday morning, crews were working on 16 active main breaks and six breaks to service lines, Weber said.
"It’s possible we’ll see another increase," Weber said.
As the mercury climbs, pipes contract in the cold weather then expand again, causing breaks. The surrounding soils also expand and contract, causing pipes to shift and in some cases break, Weber said.
Metal pipes are more prone to breakage than more modern pipes made of plastic.
"There’s a lot of metal pipe still in the ground," Weber said.
Customers usually don’t experience service interruptions because the system can be rerouted around broken pipes, Weber said. Residents are more likely feel the effects of breaks when repairs require road closures, Weber said.
He said the city has not yet tallied the cost of this month’s spike in water breaks but has a contingency fund for such repairs.
Contact Tony Marrero at [email protected] or (813) 226-3374. Follow @tmarrerotimes.