FIRST ON 3 UPDATE: Oleander closures continue after 3rd water main break in a week

UPDATE FROM CFPUA NEWS RELEASE: CFPUA crews have identified the water leak on Oleander Dr. @ 41st St. and are in the process of making corrective repairs. The diverted traffic pattern will remain until work is complete. An old, abandoned galvanized service pipe was identified as the source of the leak.

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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More water worries in Wilmington. Another water main ripped open today; this one at the intersection of Oleander Drive and 41st Street.

Around 2 p.m. drivers say the asphalt bubbled up like a speed bump. The water main break forced police to close two eastbound lanes on Oleander for hours. The rupture had a lot of people worried about their water service.

“It’s not good, ’cause business hasn’t been that good ’cause of the economy, so anything like this hurts business a bit so,” said Bradley Goodman, who owns Tazy’s Burgers & Grill nearby.

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority said the water main break did not affect water service, but it has affected traffic. Earlier today dispatchers suggest finding a different route if you usually take Oleander.

This water main break follows two last week, including one outside the Sweeney Water Treatment Plant Friday that led to a boil water advisory and water use restrictions most of the weekend.