‘We can’t flush the toilets’: City residents complain of days long water main break, city leaders aiming to repair infrastructure long-term
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) — Residents in the Tower Grove Heights neighborhood have been dealing with a water main break since this past weekend, some with low pressure and others with no water at all.
As temperatures continue to go up and down, more of these breaks could happen around the city, leading to discussions on shoring up the city of St. Louis’ water infrastructure.
“I guess the worst of all is we can’t flush the toilets,” said Beth Braznell.
As water gushes onto Juniata Street, all the way down to Grand, Beth Braznell isn’t getting any water at home, leading to a series of issues.
“Laundry, oh my gosh, do I have laundry to do,” said Braznell. “Dishes are stacking up, I do have a better kettle of water that I keep warm for washing hands and things like that.”
Neighbors told First Alert 4 that the problem has persisted since Friday or Saturday.
“Crews come, and they stand around and look at the hole,” said Braznell. “And then they leave.”
Tuesday afternoon, the city’s Water Division announced crews will do a valve shut beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, encompassing much of the Tower Grove South neighborhood. They hope to stop the water from flowing and return water service to residents.
“I think there is absolutely an appetite to invest significant capital into the water division,” said Ald. Anne Schweitzer.
Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer said the city had more than one water main break a day last year, 399 in total.
She said there are $130 million of especially urgent needs and $400 million of fairly urgent needs to the system.
She wants to use the Rams settlement money to get the ball rolling.
“It’s just crucial the city of St. Louis takes those steps today so for generations to come, water is still the incredible resource that we know it is for our city,” said Schweitzer.
The money would help with short-term fixes and replenish the Water Department’s contingency fund, which is dwindling, allowing it to get large loans to fix issues long-term.
“They need to have money in those funds to get even more money in,” said Schweitzer.
Braznell supports spending Rams money on water, saying her husband even stayed at a motel one night to shower.
“I could take off and go to a hotel if I have to. But there are a lot of people in this city who can’t,” said Braznell.
Schweitzer added that she’s also supportive of using Rams money for tornado relief.
She said she’s hoping that some type of plan for the water infrastructure is pushed forward soon.
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