Milwaukee water main breaks, streets flooded near 91st and Mill

By FOX6 News Digital Team
Published  January 12, 2024 6:52pm CST
FOX6 News Milwaukee
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Water main break floods Milwaukee intersection

A major water main broke on Milwaukee's northwest side during Friday's winter storm. It flooded the intersection at 91st and Mill.

MILWAUKEE - A major water main broke on Milwaukee's northwest side during Friday's winter storm.

Milwaukee Water Works said a number of residents and businesses may experience low water pressure due to the break. FOX6 News found the intersection flooded at 91st and Mill. There were additional breaks of smaller water mains in the area, too.

According to officials, a loss of power at the Florist district pumping station late Friday afternoon led to a reduction in pressure. The Florist district is west of 76th Street and north of Silver Spring Drive. As power was restored, the increase in pressure likely caused the main breaks.

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David Homme, who lives nearby, said his water pressure was reduced to a drip. He shared a video that shows water bursting through a crack in the street's pavement.

"The road is lifted from it’s usual place, probably 4,5, 6 inches in some places," he said. "It looks like a waterfall"

Milwaukee Water Works crews are currently working on isolating the main breaks, which should help restore pressure for most customers. Accumulated snow and ice has made it difficult for crews to access valves.

Saturday, officials said the break caused a 10-foot section of a 16-inch water main. The water coming out of that break, in turn, created a 20-by-40-foot crater that was "at least" 15 feet deep. Crews filled the crater with gravel as a temporary fix, officials said, and will return with slurry to fill it next week.

Water Works asks customers to be patient and minimize water consumption. Customers can report main breaks to 414-286-3710.

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