More than 100 Toronto east-end residents without water for two days after main break
A 115-year-old water main ruptured Wednesday at Coxwell and Gerrard, affecting 35 homes and one building. The city is providing bottled water and a trailer as repairs extend longer than expected.
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More than 100 residents in Toronto's east end have been without water for over two days after a water main broke early September 4, at Coxwell Avenue and Gerrard Street East, just north of Dupont Street. The break was reported to police shortly after 4:30 a.m. and affects 35 homes and one residential building on Gerrard Street East between Coxwell Avenue and Wembley Drive.
The 115-year-old cast-iron main was already scheduled for repairs when it ruptured. Bill Shea, director of distribution and collection for Toronto Water, said the repair has proven more complex than initially anticipated due to the age of the watermain, challenging ground conditions, and the presence of other underground utilities that crews must work around. Crews worked through the night Wednesday attempting the fix.
The city is providing bottled water and a water trailer at 339 Coxwell Avenue, south of Gerrard Street East, where residents can refill containers. Resident Kristina Kennedy said the situation has been chaotic. "It's honestly been a nightmare," she said. "It takes around three litres of water just to flush the toilet one time." Kennedy noted that residents with disabilities or without cars find it difficult to reach stores for water, and that the bottled water being provided is not enough. She said residents were not formally notified when the break happened; the superintendent of her building informed them instead.
Kennedy reached out to Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches-East York) seeking guidance and an estimated restoration time, but said neither responded. Eastbound lanes on a stretch of Gerrard Street East remain closed. Officials have not stated when water service will be restored.
When does Toronto Water expect to restore service to affected homes?
What notification system will alert residents of future main breaks before word spreads by neighbour?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Where did the water main break in Toronto?
The water main ruptured at Coxwell Avenue and Gerrard Street East, just north of Dupont Street, affecting 35 homes and one residential building on Gerrard Street East between Coxwell Avenue and Wembley Drive.
How old was the water main that broke?
The cast-iron water main was 115 years old.
Why has the repair taken longer than expected?
According to Bill Shea, director of distribution and collection for Toronto Water, the repair proved more complex than anticipated due to the age of the watermain, challenging ground conditions, and the presence of other underground utilities that crews must work around.
Where can residents get water during the outage?
The city is providing bottled water and a water trailer at 339 Coxwell Avenue, south of Gerrard Street East, where residents can refill containers.
