Moscow's F Street water main repaired, streets next

A water main that ruptured in F Street in Moscow early Thursday afternoon was repaired, and residents in the area had water service again by 4 a.m. Friday, according to a city news release.

The release said the water main break was near Tobiska Drive, just east of Lincoln Street. A section of the 55-year-old cast iron pipe ruptured, which workers replaced with more durable pipe.

Residents in the area were provided drinking water while the water pressure was reduced to facilitate repairs. The affected portion of the water system was flushed and tested to meet Idaho Department of Environmental Quality standards.

The asphalt surface of F Street and some of the underlying road base was damaged due to the force of the water escaping the broken main. One garage may have had some water damage.

The Public Works Department anticipates the pavement will be removed to allow the sub base to be examined to determine if it can be reused or needs to be excavated and new material installed, and then repaved. The city expects this to take several weeks. Public Works will be seeing if any more cast iron water main in the area also needs to be replaced.

F Street residents will have access to their homes as consistently as possible during the repairs, the release said. General access through the area will be restricted, however. The city is coordinating with the Moscow School District and Latah Sanitation for school bus and sanitation truck access.

For more information, contact Public Works Director Les MacDonald at (208) 883-7028.