Water Main Break Impacts Strongsville, Middleburg Heights

STRONGSVILLE, OH — A water main break on Engle Road in Middleburg Heights has led to school closures and a water boil advisory being issued. Strongsville Schools was closed several buildings on Monday and a boil advisory has been issued for residents in Strongsville and parts of Middleburg Heights.

During a press conference on Monday, Cleveland Water Department officials said the break may take several days to fix. Officials stressed that the break and the boil advisory are two separate issues, and that the boil may be lifted before the break is repaired.

"Customers in the affected area should not drink the water without flushing and boiling it first. Flush all faucets used for drinking and cooking for at least 3 minutes. Bring water to a boil, let it boil for at least one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water," the Cleveland Water Department said on Twitter.

Cleveland Water is warning that this break, because of its severity, could have allowed organisms into the water flow. That exposure necessitates the boil advisory.

It is also worth noting that water in Strongsville, and parts of Middleburg Heights, could have heightened lead levels because of the water main break. Here's what Cleveland Water is telling customers to do:

If water has not been used for several hours, run the tap until there is a noticeable temperature drop. Then, run water for 30 seconds to 3 minutes before using it for drinking and cooking. This helps flush water that may have contained lead that may have leached from plumbing.

Use cold water for cooking, drinking, and preparing baby formula. Boiling the water will not reduce lead.

Clean your faucet aerator regularly.

The Strongsville Middle School, Whitney Elementary, Muraski Elementary, Strongsville Preschool, and the district administrative building were all closed Monday due to the water main break. All other buildings are open, the district told Patch.

The Strongsville Recreation Center is also closed due to lack of water pressure, the city said.

The Break

The water main break was discovered at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Monday morning, Cleveland Water Department officials said. By 9 a.m., crews isolated the leak and water pressure has begun to recover.

"The safety, health and welfare of our customers is very important to us," said Robert Davis, director of department of public utilities.

The break itself is on a 36 inch water main on Engle Road, near Englewood Drive, in Middleburg Heights. Water pressure began to recover a little before noon on Monday. Cleveland Water Department officials said all customers should have some water flow now.

To stem the flow of water out of the main, Cleveland Water briefly depressurized the area. When the area was depressurized, it may have exposed some of the water system to possible organisms, that could make residents sick.

Cleveland Water has issued a water boil advisory to customers in Strongsville and parts of Middleburg Heights. Those customers should boil their water for a full minute, and then cool, before consuming.

Alex Margevicius, commissioner of Cleveland Water, said Engle Road is closed at the site of the break. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area, and between Sheldon Road and Bagley Road, near Engle. The main is under excavation.

Margevicius said the main will be under construction much of the week. While Cleveland Water has all of the parts it needs to make a repair, crews will need to do "significant work."

The 36-inch, concrete water main that broke was installed in 1961, according to Margevicius. It is not yet clear what caused the water main break, but winter weather could have played a part, officials said.

Margevicius confirmed that last week there were leaks on Engle Road, but it is not yet clear if those leaks were connected to the same water main that broke on Monday morning.

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The water main break briefly left residents in Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, Parma, Parma Heights, and North Royalton with little or no water pressure. All customers should now have water, and only customers in Strongsville and Middleburg Heights are under a boil advisory.

Photo from Renee Schiavone, Patch