Wayne Barnett put off watering trees and plants at his nursery, Tennessee and East streets, Wednesday morning — about four hours later than he planned.
Shortly before 10 a.m. water seeping from a crack in a 10-inch cast iron main reached critical mass and gushed out of the ground. The longer it flowed, the more pronounced it became.
The main carries water to Gas and serves businesses and residents along and near East Street (U.S. 54) in east Iola and on to Gas.
Within minutes of when water broke ground, Iola’s Water Department crew was on the scene using a metal detector to pinpoint the main about seven feet under the pavement.
Pneumatic drills were used to reach its corridor. From there, rods were inserted and by listening to vibrations workers determined the leak’s general location.
Eric Miller then deftly maneuvered a backhoe to remove pavement, first asphalt overlay and then about eight inches of concrete. Next, tons of sub-surface soil, laced with rock and old smelter retorts, were scooped into dump trucks. Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock explained that fill removed would not be reused when repairs were completed.
“We put in AB3 now” — crushed limestone — “so that there won’t be any settling to speak of,” he said. Eventually an asphalt patch will be laid.
Once the main was uncovered and a crack of about four feet long was found, several workers used heavy-duty circular saws with graphite blades to cut the cast iron pipe in two. A 71-inch section was removed and replaced with heavy plastic pipe .
While care was taken at every step — including close watch of the hole’s sides to spot any danger of a cave-in — the water crew had the leak repaired and water flowing again in about 3 1/2 hours.
“Fascinating,” said an onlooker.
“Not when you’ve done it as many times as I have,” mused John Lord, a 26-year city employee.
WHILE no specific cause was noted for the leak, Schinstock mentioned that if weather continued to be dry leaks likely would occur more frequently.
When soil dries it shrinks and pulls away from mains, Schinstock pointed out, making it easier for leaks to develop and grow.
