Neighbors react to surprise sinkhole caused by water line break

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) is working quickly to repair a sinkhole caused by a water line break on Montebello Drive between Descanso Circle East and Fiesta Lane.

Today, June 24, crews put a temporary patch on the sinkhole and reopened the road for now.

Crews will be back tomorrow to complete the repaving. CSU expects the road to permanently reopen by 5 p.m. tomorrow, June 25.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department and CSU responded to the sinkhole yesterday, June 23.

CSU said an 8-inch water main break caused the sinkhole, and 85 customers in the area were without water for about six hours.

Several neighbors in the area described the gushing of water coming from the ground.

“You don’t expect to see a sinkhole right in front of your house," Sharon Rivera said.

The cause of the water line break is still under investigation, but a CSU spokesperson said things like pressure and temperature changes could have contributed.

CSU provided KRDO13 with the following statement:

"A sinkhole caused by a water line break on Montebello Drive between Descanso Circle East and Fiesta Lane was discovered on Tuesday, June 23, requiring an emergency response from our crews. Our teams repaired the damaged water line and completed a temporary patch of the road this morning, allowing the road to reopen. Crews will return tomorrow to complete permanent paving. Water service was restored to all affected customers early this morning.

Our water system is large and complex, consisting of approximately 2,200 miles of water main. Infrastructure can deteriorate over time due to age, weather and other factors. To address this, we implement routine maintenance programs and plan system replacements and improvements as resources allow as providing safe, reliable utilities remains our top priority."

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