Major Water Line for Aquidneck Island Bursts Overnight

A major water main line broke late Friday on West Main Road, Route 114, near the Valley Inn Restaurant and the Lawton Valley Reservoir in the southern section of town.

Crews at the scene said they were called in about the break around 11:30 p.m. Some workers only had a few hours, if any, of sleep.

This water main is the major line feeding water to the communities of Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport, said Jeff Sullivan, heavy equipment operator for Newport Water.

"It's a major blowout," Sullivan said. "This is the main transmission line for the whole island."

According to Sullivan, the break occurred on a 24-inch transition line that feeds water from the Laurent Valley Reservoir to the water plant at 2154 West Main Road, and all adjoining side streets.

Sullivan said he was unsure about how many homes would be affected, but that it could be residences in all three communities.

"We're not sure right now (around 1:30 a.m.)," he said. "We'll know better in the hour. The water is still running. We are working to shut down all the gates. They have to be isolated or we'll lose the whole road."

Large portions of the road were clearly visibly washed out near the Valley Inn Restaurant. Water gushed like a small stream down West Main Road.

Crews worked to repair a much larger hole in the road further up near Raytheon Integrated Systems.

The water main is mostly made out of cast iron, but switches to a transite pipe, which is also referred to as an "asbestos pipe," Sullivan said.

The pipe is located five to eight feet underground. When asked what could have caused the break, the Newport Water employee said, "just age."

According to Sullivan, crews would be working throughout the night to repair the water main and fix the road. Residents on Aquidneck Island would not be without water Saturday morning, he said.

"We'll get them water," Sullivan said. "There might be some discoloration."

The break could have been worse for workers if Hurricane Earl had hit the island directly. Fortunately, the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm late Friday.

Only a few sprinkles and a light, warm breeze was felt on West Main Road near the water main break.

"Of all the things tonight, I never expected this," said Special Police Officer Barry Smith, who is retired from the Middletown Police Department.

Smith was called in for duty after sleeping for only an hour, a statement made by several other officers and crew members at the scene.

"I knew I'd get a call," he said. "I thought for a fallen tree or something like that, but not a water main break." 

Smith enforced a traffic barricade set up on West Main Road near Union Street. Traffic was diverted down Union or Redwood Road.

On the north side of West Main Road, another officer directed traffic down Bradford Avenue.

Despite the early hour, there was a fair amount of traffic on both sides. Traffic detours are expected to continue throughout the night and on Saturday morning.

We will continue to follow this story as it develops.