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Mon flood

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Monongahela leaders announced crews will install a new water line on Fourth Street this summer.

During last week’s work session, Mayor Greg Garry said the line broke once again, resulting in minor leakage.”We had another small water break on Fourth Street last week,” Garry said. “I’m glad they’re going to do that line because it’s just going to continue (breaking) up the hill.”

Police Chief Kevin Harris said he spoke to Pennsylvania American Water, the company that maintains the Fourth Street lines, and it plans to begin replacing the 100-year-old line in the upcoming weeks.

The line has experienced three major breaks since 2021. In January, the broken line flooded six businesses along the corner of Fourth and Main streets, causing substantial flooding and tens of thousands in damage.

Many businesses were closed for weeks following the flooding, as water damaged building structures and knocked out electricity in at least three buildings. Tenants living above the block of businesses had to vacate their homes while crews worked to restore power.

Monongahela community members poured support into the businesses, as the Historical Society raised over $12,000 for the businesses. The Monongahela Main Street Program also gave its support, organizing a coupon drive to foster foot traffic at affected businesses.

All the businesses have since reopened, though some continue to manage with the flood’s aftermath. City leaders have said mishandled paving methods led to major flooding, as PennDOT crews paved over the line’s control box in summer 2022. The delay caused by the obstructed panel allowed water to continue flowing into nearby buildings.

Crews have done multiple cut-and-patch jobs on the aging line, but those familiar with it have said with each single weak spot fixed, the quick fixes have created two new potential breaking points.

City leaders said they were excited about the new line and relieved to put flooding incidents behind them.

“I’m sure you’re all familiar with the water main breaks along Fourth Street,” Garry said. “That will soon be a thing of the past, which is a very good thing.

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