A quiet Durham cul-de-sac turned into a full-on water show Friday when a ruptured main blasted a column of water into the sky, drenching a Parkwood neighborhood street and tangling traffic in the process. Neighbors pulled out their phones to capture the moment as city crews raced in to shut the flow down.
According to WRAL, the break erupted near Radcliff Circle at Revere Road in the Parkwood neighborhood, sending up a jet that a station photojournalist pegged at about 30 feet high. Durham Water Management crews moved in quickly, and the city closed off the immediate area while workers scrambled to cut the water, set up pumps and get traffic control in place. Drivers were rerouted around the flooded stretch.
Geyser Erupts While Durham Is Under Tight Water Rules
The timing could not be worse. The break hit while Durham remains under Stage 2 water shortage restrictions, put in place in mid-June, which makes a major, unexpected leak more than just a messy inconvenience. The City of Durham Water Management notes that crews are dispatched to fix main breaks and urges customers to report water service emergencies at 919-560-1200, or after hours at 919-560-4344.
WRAL reported the rupture happened close to Parkwood Elementary, which the Durham Public Schools website lists at 5207 Revere Road. With an elementary school sitting right in the middle of the neighborhood, officials opted to close lanes and keep curious onlookers back while the work unfolded.
Repairs, Gridlock And Aging Pipes
Water main breaks are nothing new in the Triangle, and they have a habit of wrecking commutes. Coverage of the Guess Road shut down for hours last year showed just how long repairs can leave major corridors jammed. Durham is also in the middle of ongoing replacement work, including the City of Durham NC-54 Waterline Replacement Project, which aims to swap out aging mains in parts of the system.
On Friday, crews stayed on scene through the morning to cap the damaged main and restore normal flow. There were no immediate reports of injuries. City officials said they will share follow-up updates as repairs wrap up and lane closures are lifted.
