VENICE, Fla. — Crews worked overnight Friday to repair a water main break in Venice after a contractor drilled a hole into the line, Sarasota County said in a news release.
The break happened late Thursday night near the Mabry T. Carlton Water Treatment Facility. According to the county, a drilling contractor bored a 42-inch water transmission main.
Laurel Road was shut down in both directions at Ancora Boulevard while repairs were underway. While the road is back open, drivers are still asked to use caution in the area as the roadway will be repaved in the coming week.
Sarasota County residents were urged to minimize their water usage on Friday as the break caused lower-than-normal water pressure.
“This 42-inch line carries approximately half the capacity that we put out every day, so when we set this line down later this morning, the community will experience lower water pressures than what they’re used to," Michael Mylett, the director of public utilities for Sarasota County, said on Friday. “We’ll still have the full amount of water it’s just going to be at reduced pressures."
Nearby water facilities in the county assisted until the repairs were completed.
"The water system is back online and water pressure has returned to normal," the county wrote in an update on Saturday.