originally posted on February 11, 2017

WESTERLY — As if the blizzard was not enough, town crews braved the elements Thursday to repair a broken water main. A 6-inch cast iron pipe in the vicinity of Babcock and Stone Hill roads burst at about 12:30 p.m. The water cutoff also affected nearby Eddy Street, and Brown and Benny Drives. The broken pipe was repaired and water service restored at about 6 p.m. The same line has experienced problems in the past. About 60 residences were affected.

Cast iron pipe, which makes up about 60 percent of the town’s system, does not hold up well under severe temperature variations, said Town Manager Derrik M. Kennedy. Much of the pipe was manufactured in the 1960s. As part of their response, town crews went door-to-door to explain the situation to residents.

— Dale P. Faulkner