ST. LOUIS – Another water main break in north St. Louis Friday is bringing concern back to residents about the city’s aging infrastructure. Many have been without water pressure for hours.
The 36-inch main break occurred near Penrose Street and Blair Avenue early Friday morning. Several residents woke up to their streets flooding and cars trapped in the water.
According to the city, crews had difficulty determining which water main to shut off as there are several within the area.
Over the years, city leaders have said the infrastructure needs updating.
“There are plans that are in effect that are going to be moving towards getting capitol improvement funds and be able to make some repairs, or actually replacements,” Mark Nankivil from the St. Louis City Water Division said.
The passage of the water rate increase in 2023 will aid in making replacements, according to Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer, who is the chairperson of the infrastructure and utilities committee.
“We are working on it, and that’s the most important thing to know…it’s going to have more money for infrastructure as well in various different capacities,” she said. “We have seen several water main breaks across the city in recent years; those are expensive to fix. The water division is always right on it, fixing them and doing the repairs. It’s another thing we really need to have some more money for.”