A water main break that occurred earlier this month at NW 13th Street and Ferris Avenue in Lawton has left the City's Street Division with significant road repair work after a 24-inch pipe caused disruptions in the area. The incident, which happened between 12:45 and 1:00 p.m. on April 7, led to immediate action by the City of Lawton crews following reports of low water pressure from residents and schools.
According to the City of Lawton's official statement, the rupture resulted in several homes being temporarily cut off from water service. Whittier Elementary was notably affected and had to switch to online learning on April 8 due to limited water availability. The city began receiving complaints about low water pressure around 1:09 p.m., triggering an investigation that led to the break's discovery and swift isolation of the affected pipe section.
City officials have acknowledged that the damage was critical, it required a replacement of a 10-foot section of the pipe, which is a more labor-intensive endeavor than a standard repair. Following the completion of repairs and restoration of the water service, the focus turned to the roadwork. Ferris Avenue will stay closed to through traffic until the area undergoes a thorough evaluation and the necessary repairs are carried out to ensure everyone's safety.
During the service interruption, the City's Water Distribution Division was on their toes, responding to some 75 calls between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. and maintaining continuous communication with both Lawton Public Schools and the impacted residents. The city has expressed gratitude to the community for their patience during what was undoubtedly a challenging situation for many. Those affected were reassured that maintaining water quality was a priority throughout the ordeal and that updates will continue as the roadway repair proceeds.
