San Diego

Five water main breaks that forced the temporary closure of some downtown streets late Thursday and early Friday were repaired by Friday afternoon.

A malfunctioning pressure regulator caused the cast-iron pipes to break in five places between 6 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. Friday, said Kathy Williams, spokeswoman for the San Diego Water Utilities Department.

Another contributing factor was the recent drop in overnight temperatures, which makes the water denser and the pipes more susceptible to breaking at their weakest points, Williams added. The mains have been in the city’s water system since the early 1900s, and many have corroded.

The water main breaks occurred at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Broadway and in the 500 block of Market Street, the 1500 block of Columbia Street, the 600 block of 5th Avenue and at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Ash Street.

There were no reports of interrupted water service in the largely commercial areas or from residences. Secondary pipes supplied water to the area, but the water department sent water trucks as a precaution to fill portable containers, Williams said.

Estimates on costs to replace the mains and repair damage to the streets were not available, nor was the amount of water spilled known. Some of the businesses in the area suffered flood damage.