Updated: Water Main Breaks Impact Drivers, Disrupts Service

Drivers are dealing with multiple water main breaks today on area roads.

A 12-inche water main broke last night closing a portion of Dale Boulevard at Birchdale Avenue. Fire and rescue crews that were called to the scene told Potomac Local News the pressure that was released when the water main blew caused “rocks the size of basketballs” to roll down the boulevard. The break disrupted several Virginia American Water customers in Dale City and forced the closure of Dale Boulevard in both directions near the site of the break.

Here’s more from water company spokeswoman Samantha Villegas; 

The main break initially affected about 48 town homes. But the break caused us to nearly drain our Hillendale tank which caused major pressure drops noticed much further away – a map of affected area was posted to our FB this am.

By about 7-8 am, most were back to normal.

As of noon, everyone but about 80 customers on Birchdale Square are back on.

Birchdale Square will be back on shortly, but because of the complete pressure loss, the homes on that street will need to boil water for consumption until we give them the all clear. We are notifying who is affected with door hangers.

All westbound lanes of Dale Boulevard reopened just before 10 a.m., according to Prince William police.

It’s almost as if drivers and people living in this area cannot catch a break. On Monday night, a gas main also ruptured in the same area and was ultimately repaired.

Crews are also on the scene of a water main break in Stafford County today, at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Layhill Road.

Here’s the latest statement from the Virginia Department of Transportation about the traffic impacts caused by the break.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the right lane on Route 1 north just north of Route 624 (Layhill Road) in Stafford County due to a drainage pipe failure.

VDOT crews are on the scene accessing the damage.

There is no estimated time of reopening at this time.