Water still flows from baffling line break

YOUNGSTOWN — City water officials this morning are still trying to determine which of three waterlines on Marshall Street broke causing flooding on the lower West Side.

The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, which sells water in bulk to the city, is having trouble turning off water valves to those pipes, Eugene Leson Jr., the city water department’s chief engineer, said today. Until the flow stops, workers can’t get in to see what’s broken.

“Water is coming out slowly, but it’s too much to do repair work,” Leson said.

That also means water continues to pour onto Marshall Street and some nearby roads, Leson said. But the amount of water pouring onto Marshall is less than it was Tuesday, he said.

There is plenty of water on the south side of Mahoning Avenue in that area, particularly in the far south lane. With Mahoning being one of the main roads connecting the city’s West Side to downtown, the city had no choice but to keep the avenue open, he said.

It is far worse on Marshall Street and West Avenue, Leson said.

Marshall remains closed today between Hogue and Edwards streets. West is closed between Marshall and Mahoning.

It isn’t known when the roads will reopen, Leson said.

There are three waterlines in that area, a 36-inch line, a 30-inch line and one that is either 6 or 8 inches, he said.

About 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, the water department was notified of water flooding Marshall Street, near the Youngstown Maennerchor building.

Until the city can determine which line broke, the cost of the damage won’t be known, Leson said.

Comfort Keepers, a Mahoning Avenue business that provides nonmedical in-home care, had water damage to its building because of the break in the line.