(Updated at 3:45 p.m.) A large water transmission main serving Arlington ruptured early this morning amid falling temperatures, prompting major closures.
The water main break was first reported around 4:30 a.m. on the Arlington side of Chain Bridge. The northern end of N. Glebe Road, a portion of Chain Bridge Road and Chain Bridge itself were all expected to remain closed throughout the morning rush hour as a result.
(Chain Bridge and Chain Bridge Road has partially reopened as of 9:45 a.m. for drivers heading to and from D.C. and Fairfax County, VDOT said via Twitter.)
The rupture caused a portion of N. Glebe Road, on the hill leading to Chain Bridge, to collapse.
Large water transmission pipes run under the Chain Bridge, bringing water from the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant in D.C. into Arlington. The pipe that burst was a 36-inch transmission main, significantly larger than the typical 12-inch residential water main, WTOP reported.
Though as of 6:35 a.m. Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services (DES) reported that “crews have stabilized the transmission main break and pressure is being restored to County water lines,” much of the Arlington’s water service was impacted and nearly half of the county remains under a precautionary boil water advisory.
The boil water advisory is “expected to last until at least Sunday, after a series of testing,” according to Arlington Alert.
The closure of Glebe Road, meanwhile, is currently expected to last at least into the weekend.
The repair of the water main is expected to stretch into late Saturday or even into Sunday, DES Chief Operating Officer Mike Moon tells ARLnow. The road could remain closed until Tuesday, though there’s also a possibility it reopens this weekend, Moon said.
More permanent repairs to the road may be necessary even after it reopens, according to Moon. DES officials are still assessing the situation and expect to provide more information to the public on Saturday.
“It’s a major repair,” said DES spokeswoman Jessica Baxter. “Crews are working as fast as possible… but we don’t have a [solid] timeline for the repair and the restoration of the roadway.”
Moon noted that water service has been restored to most of Arlington thanks to redundancy in the system. There are three large transmission pipes that run from D.C. to Arlington — two hanging under the bridge, one under the river — that supply the county’s water, and there are multiple paths that the water takes into Arlington once its reached the Virginia side of the Potomac.
Arlington Public Schools, meanwhile, have closed today (Friday) due to the lack of water service, though football games will be played tonight
All schools and offices are closed today, Fri, Nov. 8 due to a large water main break on N. Glebe Rd. Because of the water main break, water pressure is significantly impacted throughout the county. See School Talk Message or Website for details.
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) November 8, 2019
Operations Update: Tonight’s @WHSHappenings @yhssports and @WLHSAthletics football games will be played as scheduled and at their posted location. Because of the boil water advisory, only pre-packaged concessions will be available for purchase and water fountains cannot be used.
— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) November 8, 2019
Two community centers are also closed, in addition to all APS facilities. Libraries are open but patrons are encouraged to bring bottled water.
Fri., Nov. 8 – Due to a water transmission main break:
• Carver & Drew Community Centers are closed.
• All activities scheduled in Arlington Public School standalone facilities are cancelled.
• All Aquatic Enjoy Arlington Classes are cancelled. https://t.co/HL8lCJIjW9— ARL VA Parks & Rec (@arlparksrec) November 8, 2019
The Library is open today, but some locations are inside Arlington's Water Boil Advisory zone so if you are headed to Central, Cherrydale, Columbia Pike or Plaza be sure to bring a water bottle.
More info: https://t.co/nC74EH01f3— Arlington VA Pub Lib (@ArlingtonVALib) November 8, 2019
Local restaurants, meanwhile, are using bottled water and disposable plates amid the boil water advisory, according to Washingtonian.
Ambar, Buena Vida Social Club, Barley Mac, Bronson Bier Hall and Taco Rock among the Arlington restaurants “taking extra precautions,” including using bottled water and disposable plates https://t.co/AMzzFeE1AN
— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) November 8, 2019
More on the boil water advisory, from a county press release:
As a precaution, Arlington County has issued a Boil Water Advisory for customers in the eastern area of the County (excluding Crystal City) who may be impacted by a large water transmission main break at Glebe Road and Chain Bridge Road. (See area… on the map.) The break caused pressure drops in several locations across the County. The advisory is a safety measure because of the depressurization.
If you live in the affected area, you should bring your water to a rolling boil for three minutes then cool before:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth
- Washing fruits and vegetables
- Preparing baby food and formula
- Making ice
- Giving to pets
Information will be shared when the advisory has been lifted. Check the County website for updates.
Emergency Water Main Break: Crews are investigating a large water transmission break at Glebe Road and Chain Bridge. Pressure drops reported in several locations. Avoid turning on taps if possible. Avoid Chain Bridge as work continues. #VAtraffic pic.twitter.com/tGTMhX9hWO
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) November 8, 2019
Update 6:35am: Crews have stabilized the transmission main break and pressure is being restored to County water lines. Boil Water Advisory, issued strictly as a precaution, remains in effect.
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) November 8, 2019
Map via Google Maps. Some photos via Arlington DES/Twitter.