Frankford Water Main Break Impacts Neighborhoods, Businesses Across Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) By the time it was said and done the water main break had ripple effects that spanned eight different zip codes impacting people and businesses miles away including Fairmount.
Mick Houston, owner of Jack's Firehouse Restaurant says, "I was trying to grab a shower and brush my teeth and wasn't able to do that."
Many Fairmount residents woke up to a surprise this morning.
Marlene Burke, a resident, says, "I went to brush my teeth and i was like - where is this water?"
That surprise quickly became an inconvenience.
Burke says, "It's the holidays, last minute laundry and all that stuff."
And plant shop owner Marsha Abrams began to worry.
"While it was trickling I put some water in cans under the spigot."
At the Philadelphian and other nearby apartments, residents were shocked to learn the root of the problem was not exactly in their backyards.
Burke says, "You know, we were wondering why we didn't see any trucks or anything around."
The 48-inch water main break happened six miles away in Northeast Philadelphia but still managed to threaten local businesses expecting the holiday crowds.
Houston says, "Schools off and businesses are closed, so I got a lot coming in so I was a little worried."
But by 11 a.m., there were signs of improvement.
Burke says, "There's water but it's not the full force."
And just before the lunch rush hour, water was back to full force, allowing many business owners to escape a black eye.
"The water department came through. Thank God for that."
Meanwhile, others weren't so lucky and were forced to close their doors for the day.
Philadelphia Water Department is reporting tonight that water pressure has been restored to all of the affected neighborhoods.
