Water main break floods east-end neighbourhood in Hamilton

A major water main break in Hamilton’s east end caused flooding and a massive headache for dozens of homeowners.

It happened at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening when a 20-inch pipe burst near the Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant and flooded homes within a four block radius.

Andrew Grice, Director of Hamilton Water, says about 60 homes sustained some level of flooding.

Grice adds that 15 to 20 homes that are closest to where the break occurred suffered “pretty significant damage.”

Hamilton police closed off some roads in the affected area on Tuesday night, which included homes from Knox Avenue east to Woodward Avenue, and Glow Avenue north to Grace Avenue.

About 200 of those homes were also without hydro for a period of time.

Grice says the pipe that burst flows directly from the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant and is a major transmission line that carries water to the rest of the city.

City crews have been on scene throughout the day on Wednesday making repairs.

Hamilton’s compassionate grants program, designed to help homeowners cover the deductible on their insurance policies, is likely to be activated for the benefit of affected homeowners.