Second water main break in 11 days in Boston neighborhood leaves residents and businesses frustrated
BOSTON - For the second time in 11 days, a water main break has flooded a Boston neighborhood and the people who live and work on or near Tremont Street are looking for answers.
150-year-old pipe
"The mess - disgusting, the noise is disgusting as well," said Theresa Blevins, who lives around the corner from the impacted area near Massachusetts Avenue.
The culprit is a 150-year-old pipe with a crack all down its side. The break sent water flooding into the street, nearly swallowing some nearby vehicles while crews slogged through the water feverishly trying to stop the flow.
Art gallery severely damaged
A basement art gallery was the biggest victim with mud piled up to its door.
"It's just really heartbreaking," said artist Kamal Ahmad. At least 2 feet of water filled the Piano Craft Gallery, a nonprofit community space for local artists. Artwork being stored was damaged and will now require walls and furniture all to be replaced at a cost that volunteers who run the gallery cannot afford.
"You have something like that all of a sudden, it really impacts the gallery financially and the community side too," said Ahmad.
A break also happened on Oct. 1, making it a double blow for the gallery as well as neighbors.
"There has been some noise and there's been flooding downstairs. I live in the basement. Luckily, my unit wasn't affected, but the lounges are closed, some areas of the building are closed," said Heather Harris, who lives in an apartment building that faces the break.
"You don't get enough water coming out of the faucet. If you want to take a shower, it's basically not enough pressure to bathe in," said Blevins.
The gallery has to cancel its shows through the end of the year and now reschedule for next year and is looking for as much support as it can get.
"I hope we get some kind of support from the city," said Ahmad. "Because the gallery is not just a simple gallery, they've got a big support and resource for the community around that area," said Ahmad.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission is investigating and believes this break may have been caused by a water main break in Brookline on Wednesday that created too much pressure in the system. The Commission said it remains under investigation.