Cold temperatures cause multiple water main breaks across HRM

Frigid temperatures over the last few days have resulted in about half a dozen water main breaks across the Halifax region, according to Halifax Water. 

"It's very common," said James Campbell, speaking for the utility. "Winter is the water main break season and ... it's often due to the change in temperatures and if we have a rapid drop in temperature, as we've had over the last three or four days, it can affect our infrastructure.

"It drives the frost under the ground and if there's a little bit of movement in some pipes that can cause a break and that's what we have in a couple of these situations."

The latest break occurred on Armcrescent East Drive and caused service disruptions for customers on Benjamin Green Drive, Third Street and Fourth Street. The utility said service was restored to those customers at around 1 p.m.

Halifax Water said it has also now restored water to customers on Cobequid Road between Glendale and Zinck avenues in Lower Sackville. The break on Cobequid Road happened Wednesday evening.

The utility is reporting another break near 37 Micmac Dr. in Dartmouth. There's no restoration time for that water main repair.

"We appreciate that it's a nuisance to be out of water service, but crews are doing the best they can whenever there's water main break to get that water back on," Campbell said. "We always appreciate customers' patience, especially when crews are working in pretty cold and adverse conditions."

Lanes are reduced and traffic control is on site at the Dartmouth location. There may be traffic delays.

Halifax Water also said it has restored water service to customers on Monarch Drive near Basinview Drive in Bedford.

Customers in the Fall River, Miller Lake and Windsor Junction areas had their service restored late Wednesday night, Halifax Water said in a tweet.