Water has been shut off to 19 residential customers in West Hartford as a result of a water main break this morning.

A section of Fern Street in West Hartford is closed while the MDC repairs a water main break. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

A water main burst Wednesday morning on Fern Street just east of Clifton Avenue, sending a river of muddy water cascading down the road toward North Main Street, but water has now been shut off as the MDC works to repair the 8-inch main.

MDC spokesperson Kerry Martin said that service to the 19 residents, who are all on Fern Street between 494 Fern and Clifton Avenue, was shut down at 10:05 a.m. Repairs are estimated to be complete between 2 and 4 p.m. today, she said.

“Service was originally shut down to 3o residents, but once we confirmed where the break was we were able to shorten it,” Martin said.

The 8-inch main was installed in 1948.

West Hartford Police have shut down a portion of Fern Street, from Sylvan Avenue to Clifton Avenue, so the repairs can be made by the MDC.

Earlier Wednesday morning a suspected water main break on North Main Street in West Hartford was found to be a clogged storm drain causing ponding on the road. The West Hartford Department of Public Works was able to clear the drain and alleviate the problem.

Martin said that February was a record-setting month for water main breaks in the area.

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