By: Azalea A. Mitch

Two water leaks over the weekend were reported to Menlo Park Municipal Water (MPMW) staff Saturday and Sunday. Water staff, who are on call 24/7 to address emergencies, responded and identified the water leaks resulting from pipe failures at Independence and Sharon Oaks Drives. With an aging water system (many of the water system’s pipes are over 60 years old), water breaks of varying size occur on a regular basis. Currently, the MPMW has a Water Supervisor and two full time maintenance workers responsible for operating the system and maintaining about 60 miles of water pipes, one pump station, two reservoirs and 4,300 water meters. Due to the limited staffing, water main failures and repairs are often addressed with assistance from other divisions and private contractors. The leaks over this past weekend had staff working through the night and morning hours so the proper repairs could be made. Water quality was monitored and the flow to the affected residences and businesses was eventually restored. While the leaks were repaired, water staff had to get mandatory rest time after working through Sunday night and Monday morning before being able to return to their regularly scheduled shifts. No matter the time it takes, water staff help keep the water flowing in Menlo Park.