Broken Pipe to Stay That Way Until Weekend, Officials Say

A broken pipeline that normally carries water to more than 400,000 residents in south and east San Diego County may not be repaired until Friday or Saturday, officials said.

While the broken pipe hasn’t left anyone high and dry yet, residents are being asked to restrict water use throughout the week.

A section of the 84-inch-diameter water main broke Friday in Scripps Ranch, forcing the County Water Authority to shut down delivery to five water districts. All five--Helix, Otay, Padre Dam, Lakeside and Riverview--have issued a Stage 4 alert, prohibiting the use of water outside the home and requesting residents to limit indoor use.

Workers are moving cautiously because the soil at the site of the break is unstable, said Shirley Massey, spokeswoman for the Helix Water District. The replacement for the 20-foot section of concrete pipe that is being removed will be fabricated in Los Angeles today and Tuesday, she said.

“An 84-inch water pipe is not something you can just go to a store and buy,” Massey said.

The Helix district has begun drawing water from Lake Jennings for its own use and to supply customers in the four other districts, she said.

“It’s imperative that residents take this seriously and conserve water,” Massey said. “Our lake was already down because of summer evaporation and we don’t want to drain it completely.

“We suggest residents minimize their use of the dishwasher, limit their baths and showers, and postpone laundry if they can.”

In the Otay Water District, where treated water is stored in 31 closed reservoirs, residents have cut consumption 34% since the main broke, spokesman Charlie Cassens said.