SCWA officials said repair teams have addressed 219 breaks so far this season, with active breaks currently being monitored or fixed in communities including Lindenhurst, West Islip, Bay Shore, Islip Terrace, Coram, Ridge and Sound Beach.
Utility personnel have been working around the clock, often in sub-zero conditions, to maintain reliable service for the authority’s 1.2 million customers.
The pace of repairs has accelerated as temperatures have dropped.
In January alone, SCWA has already completed 121 repairs, including a peak of 44 breaks handled during the second week of the month.
Officials said harsh winter weather forces the frost line deeper into the ground, causing shifting soil and increased thermal stress on older cast iron pipes, which can fracture more easily in extreme cold.
“The work our crews are performing right now is truly heroic,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz.
”To reduce future disruptions, SCWA continues its infrastructure renewal program, replacing about 20 miles of aging water main each year with modern ductile iron pipe, which is far less prone to the brittle fractures common in older infrastructure during winter months. By targeting areas with a history of repeat breaks, the authority is working to modernize the system and improve long-term reliability.“
"Our employees are out there in the most difficult conditions imaginable because they know the community depends on them,” said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo.
To address the increased rate of main breaks and service disruptions, SCWA said its Customer Contact Center will be opened for additional hours in the morning for the duration of the cold spell. Officials encouraged residents experiencing water service problems to report issues promptly as crews continue their efforts through the ongoing freeze.