Marshalltown Water Works employees worked an entire 40-hour week in a weekend after a water main break at the intersection of Main Street and Ninth Street last Friday, but they were happy to get the job done and restore service to about 15 affected households that temporarily lost water pressure by Sunday night.

Water Works General Manager Shelli Lovell said the situation was a testament to her staff — who worked until almost midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and started early in the morning the last two days.

“They were very supportive and patient, (and) it was a very good coordination piece between us and the city,” Lovell said.

Water Works had help from the city’s public works department and a pair of private contractors, including excavator Bill Bjelland of KB Underground in Marshalltown, as they flushed hydrants and salted and sanded the affected region. About 15 nearby homes experienced low water pressure throughout the weekend and had their water temporarily shut off for about six hours on Sunday, and they are still under a boil advisory. Lovell said she appreciated the patience and understanding of the residents as the situation unfolded.

Public Works Director Heather Thomas echoed Lovell’s sentiments and praised the cooperative spirit of the entities involved in getting the main fixed.

“I just commend my street department staff for their ability, both Friday and through the weekend, to get out there,” Thomas said. “It’s never fun when stuff breaks, but it’s nice when Marshalltown Water Works and the public works department work together to restore city services.”

The blocks of Main Street between Eighth and 10th streets were closed to thru traffic on Friday evening, and it remained so on Monday as the Water Works crew continued to work its way through the muddy area where the break occurred. Lovell said that due to fluctuating temperatures and the age of the main, which is well over 100 years old, a break is not uncommon at this time of year.

If all of the water infrastructure was brand new, she added, it would’ve been a much quicker fix. Water Works is currently in the process of a multiyear water main and valve replacement program across the city.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.