Water department repairing sinkhole leak in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane neighborhood
A large sinkhole that opened up in Philadelphia's West Oak Lane neighborhood on Jan. 6 is experiencing a new leak, the Philadelphia Water Department said Wednesday.
Video shared by CBS News Philadelphia reporter Brandon Goldner shows water flowing through the sinkhole, which is located at the five-point intersection that includes Rodney Street and North Wister Street.
PWD said crews are in the process of repairing the leak, which appears to be coming from outside the work zone. After the leak is repaired, PWD said it will complete sewer repairs and then move on to fixing the street.
The secondary leak appears to be coming from outside the work zone, PWD said.
Emergency crews were first alerted to an 8-inch water main break around 2 a.m. Tuesday. While PWD said they were able to stop water flow to the leak without impacting service to nearby homes, several residents in the area told CBS News Philadelphia that their water was shut off overnight.
One resident told CBS News Philadelphia that she's had to deal with her water being turned on and off since Thanksgiving.
"Now it's a cave-in. This is horrible," she said. "I'm boiling water, doing this, doing that, and using up my whole cases of water. I can't even lift cases of water. I have other neighbors who are going to other houses, taking baths."
The intersection has been under construction since December for water main and sewer repairs, and a barricade was placed around the work site before the larger sinkhole opened Tuesday morning.
Laverne Taylor and other residents have been frustrated with the ongoing construction in the neighborhood.
"Least could have a big truck out there with some water, so we could get water," she said. "Cause I'm using cases of water. Do you think I had to pay a water bill for three months now that this water has been on and off and on off?"
"Repairs will be scheduled to address the leak on the water main and a sewer inspection will determine if additional work is needed," PWD said in a statement. "Once all repairs are complete, PWD will work to restore the street as soon as possible."
