Regina experiences unusually high number of water main breaks

Regina has experienced almost twice the number of water main breaks
this month. The city has recorded 172 such breaks, whereas about 90 is the
norm. This problem has city crews working overtime to get everything fixed. It
is costing $2.5 million, out of the city’s $5 million annual budget for repairs.   

“We have crews working late every night, crews working Saturdays
and Sundays…” said John Ullrich from the City of Regina. 

He says water main breaks are more common this time of year
because of drier weather. However, an unusual lack of rain is causing the dry
ground to shift, and pipes to break. In fact, so many pipes have broken that some repairs
are taking awhile to get to.  

Jan Nowina-Zarzycki has been watching a leak in front of his
house on West Gate Avenue
spring water for the past 12 days. He says that he along with others have
complained to the city, but repairs are yet to be made.

“At least a few people on this block called the city, and the
city says, ‘Oh, we have so many other water breaks, take a number,’ ” he said. 

The city says that this particular leak is on its schedule to be repaired.