Cheney water leak repaired

CHENEY -- Water Department crews have made a successful repair of a water leak that happened yesterday, Feb. 19, near Garden Manor Apartments.

Public Works Director Todd Ableman said a "sizeable leak" was discovered beneath State Route 904 / 1st Street at the entrance to complex. The lead in the 12-inch PVC water main was disgorging approximately 300 gallons per minute into the ground.

"The apparent cause of the leak was a rock that eventually caused a stress fracture in the PVC pipe," Ableman said.

Crew completed the repairs late yesterday afternoon. The disruption in the flow caused by the leak stirred up iron sediment in the distribution system, likely leading to reports on social media of discolored water in residents' systems.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].