(3/8/2024) A water main break affected the area of W. 7th Street, N. Bentz Street, and Motter Avenue on March 7, according to Frederick city officials.

Zack Kershner, director of public works, said the break and subsequent shut down of water mains in the area impacted several businesses for approximately five hours from 5 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Hood College Plaza and Frederick Health Urgent Care were shut down, according to Kershner. "Hood College campus had limited water to a few buildings that were fed from another water main on the east side of campus," Kershner said.

Approximately 20 residents were without water.

The director of public works said crews arrived on the scene shortly after receiving the call about the water leak. "It took an estimated one and a half hours from the first call about the leak in total for crews to arrive and get the main completely shut down which included closing 13 large valves that needed to be shut down to stop the water flow," Kershner said. City officials estimated 1.5 million gallons of water was lost.

Officials said road damage was significant due to the large amount of water that was released underground.

The Frederick Police Department assisted with road closures and traffic control according to Samantha Long, the public information officer for the agency. "FPD did utilize multiple officers to block the streets due to high water at W. 7th and Bentz," Long said.

Police said the road remained shut for an extended period of time while the department of public works remained on the scene.

Hospital security said the facility was not affected by the water main break in a phone interview on Monday.

The cause of the leak is unknown but city officials stated it was due to possible weakening of the pipe over time due to freeze and thaw cycles plus ground movement. The impacted area was permanently repaired on Monday, according to Kershner.