Leak originated from abandoned service line
MOUNT VERNON, Sept. 10, 2021 – A persistent water leak that resulted in the closure of East Chestnut Street in downtown Mount Vernon for two days this week has been found and fixed. The street was expected to be reopened to traffic Friday afternoon, easing the traffic through downtown that had been detoured around the immediate area since Wednesday.
Workers with the City of Mount Vernon as well as outside contractors worked for days to find the source of the water leak on East Chestnut Street between North Main and North Gay streets, in the vicinity of Mount Vernon City Hall and Municipal Court.
The City Water Department believes the leak was caused by an Aug. 12 lightning strike that led to a water main break on East Chestnut Street between North Main and North Gay streets. After that break was fixed, the leak persisted. Workers looked for the source of the leak uphill from the location, although it was ultimately found on East Chestnut.
“It was an abandoned service line that was not shut off at the main when it was abandoned. It has been properly abandoned,” said Ken Griffith, the City’s interim Director of Public Utilities. “The plates are being removed and the holes filled in. The road will be opened today.”