Two line breaks cause water loss across much of Clearfield | Local

CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield Municipal Authority crew worked overnight Tuesday and well into the morning Wednesday to repair a water main break that left more than half of the municipality’s customers without water service.

Manager Rich Lopez said workers originally thought they could repair a break in a large line near the intersection of Ogden Avenue and South Third Street within a few hours.

“It was a normal break that we sometimes see in cold weather, and we thought we would fix it no later than 3 a.m., fill up the tanks and everything would be fine,” Lopez said. “However, while we were isolating that line to repair it, one of the supply valves on another larger line broke and we had to shut down that line as well. It was a large line that served many (Clearfield) and the Hillsdale Basin. When we realized that the valve was also broken, there were many people without water.”

He said not every customer lost their water connection. Many residents of the lower parts of the district did not.

He said the office had received several calls from customers complaining that they had not been informed of the break. “There really wasn’t time to notify anyone and let people know,” Lopez said.

Just after 10 a.m., customers were notified through the agency’s automated system that the leaks had been repaired and the tanks and distribution lines had begun to fill.

He said a crew of six worked for about 15 hours in temperatures around 20 degrees.

“These guys are just great. I can’t say enough about her. They never complained once. They just kept working until the repairs were made,” Lopez noted.

He also thanked Clearfield Borough and its mayor, Mason Strouse, and Lawrence Township for their help, as well as nearby borough residents who stopped to check on and offer help – and to bring hot drinks and snacks for the workers.

The agency issued a boil water warning for all customers after consulting with the state Department of Environmental Protection. Lopez said the warning is a precautionary measure that is effective immediately. Tap water used for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth should be boiled before use.

Once water testing meets DEP standards, the boil water notice will be lifted, Lopez said, adding that the agency will notify customers when that happens.

The Clearfield Area School District remained closed Wednesday because school buildings had no water. The Clearfield County Career and Technology Center was also closed Wednesday morning. However, Lopez said late Wednesday morning that the administration was considering whether afternoon classes could take place.

Penn Highlands Clearfield was also without water for a short time but was able to implement its emergency plan, he said.

Hyde Wesleyan Church opened a comfort center Wednesday.

Pastor Stevan Sheets said he had no water when he woke up at his Village Road home Wednesday morning.

He said he quickly went to the church to assess the situation and discovered that the church on Riverview Road did indeed have water.

“I called the church team and we posted a post on Facebook inviting anyone without water who needs it to a free cup of coffee, water to brush their teeth and a place to use the toilet. We only had one family use it, but the post was shared more than 300 times.”

“I think the expression of love was stronger than the need,” Sheets said.