WASA slow to alert D.C. about water main break

WASHINGTON - A Monday morning water main break caused massive traffic delays and brought extremely low water pressure to two District office buildings.

An 8-inch main burst on the southeast side of L Street between 16th Street and 17th Street in Northwest.

D.C. Water and Sewer Authority spokeswoman Pamela Mooring tells WTOP WASA was alerted to the break at about 6:30 a.m., and had an inspector on the scene 15 minutes later, but did not notify District officials for nearly two hours.

"We sent the first email notification at 8:18 a.m.," Mooring says.

A second email was sent at 10 a.m.

Mooring says the delay was necessary because it took the inspector that long to access the problem and determine that streets would have to be closed. A D.C. police officer closed the intersection before WASA could request assistance.

The District's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency did not send a text alert to the public until 12:15 p.m.

Repair work is underway and is not expected to be completed before Monday's rush hour. Currently a single lane of traffic gets through the intersection of 15th and L Streets, NW. The D.C. Department of Transportation is urging motorists to avoid the area.

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