A water main rupture on Eighth Street in Des Moines’ Highland Park neighborhood caused extensive pavement damage, exposed brickwork and a sizable hole in the roadway Sunday morning. The city promptly closed the affected stretch while crews from Des Moines Water Works assess the break and begin repairs.
Impact on residents
One homeowner recounted waking up to find the tap dry while trying to give her dog water. “I went outside and saw the road cracking,” she said. Another resident, Andrew McGrean, expressed concern that the disruption could linger. “It looks like it might be tied up for a bit,” he warned, adding that traffic could be thrown off for several days.
Utility response
Des Moines Water Works confirmed responsibility for fixing both the water main and the road surface. An emergency outage notice on the utility’s website lists the affected segment as “water is throttled down on 8th Street from Clinton Avenue to Oak Park Avenue,” but offers no further details on the cause, the number of customers impacted, or a projected repair schedule.
The utility explains that emergency main breaks often result in low water pressure or a temporary loss of service, sometimes without warning. While most emergency outages last four to six hours, the duration can vary depending on the extent of the damage and the speed of repairs.
What residents should do
Authorities urge anyone in the area to avoid the damaged portion of Eighth Street, obey barricades and follow posted traffic directions. Motorists should steer clear of standing water and the large hole to prevent accidents.
There is currently no boil advisory or order for the neighborhood. Residents should monitor the Water Works outage page for updates and any future advisories.
After service is restored
When water service resumes, the utility recommends running a faucet without an aerator for a minute or two to clear any air that may have entered the lines. Cloudy water typically clears quickly. If discoloration or low pressure persists, callers can reach Water Works dispatch at 515‑283‑8772. Non‑emergency water‑quality concerns and outage reports can be made at 515‑283‑8700.
The incident underscores the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure and the need for swift municipal response to protect families and keep daily life running smoothly in Des Moines.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
