Tucson Water: pipe break bigger than originally thought

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Tucson Water is providing water bottles to anyone in need of clean water because of a pipe failure that's affected close to 200 customers.

The water bottles can picked up at Le Mirage Apartment Homes at 9777 N Thornydale Road, which is just north of the reported site of the pipe failure, according to Tucson Water spokesman Fernando Molina.

He said the issue was initially believed to be a break in a 12-inch line, but crews learned Sunday afternoon that it was a larger, lateral crack that's considered a pipe failure.

The first report was around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night, according to Molina. He said families affected would experience low or very low water pressure.

So many people showed up for bottles Sunday afternoon that Tucson Water has request more pallets, according to Molina.

City of Tucson workers delivered the gallon jugs of water to the corner of Thornydale and Palo Seco around 5:00 p.m. but they disappeared fast. Residents snatched them up within 30 minutes.

He said water service is expected to return between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

To listen to a recorded updates, residents can call 520-791-4133.