Emergency Watermain Repair

Protect people from flooding, undermined pavement, traffic, and electrical hazards, then call the operating authority or system controller and Harrowgate at (416) 629-0721. Do not operate unfamiliar valves. Share the exact location, affected buildings, fire-protection impact, pipe records, visible flow, access restrictions, and any critical operations that depend on water.

The MECP procedure treats a break as Category 2 unless the Operator-in-Charge performs the required visual assessment after excavation and classifies it as Category 1. The assessment considers the break condition and evidence of actual or suspected contamination. Harrowgate maintains dewatering, visibility, sanitary controls, and repair access to support that decision.

Yes, when the defect is localized and the exposed pipe has enough sound wall, correct geometry, and support for an approved full-circle repair product. A long split, crushed section, severe corrosion, failed joint, damaged fitting, or displaced pipe can require cut-out replacement, couplings, and renewed restraint. Harrowgate decides after cleaning and measurement.

Dewatering gives the crew visibility, limits soil loss, protects bedding, and keeps contaminated excavation water below an opening in the drinking-water pipe. Ontario’s repair procedure requires the air gap for relevant break conditions. Harrowgate pumps from controlled sumps, avoids drawing supporting soil, and routes discharge through required sediment and dechlorination controls.

All surfaces that will contact drinking water are cleaned and disinfected with a minimum 1 percent sodium hypochlorite solution immediately before installation. If a treated component contacts soil or excavation water, cleaning and disinfection are repeated. Cut pipe ends and reachable interior surfaces are also treated as required by the MECP Watermain Disinfection Procedure.

Ontario’s Category 2 procedure requires at least one microbiological sample of water that passed through the repair location. Category 1 does not carry the same mandatory sampling step under the emergency procedure. The operating authority controls classification, sampling, records, and return-to-service decisions, while Harrowgate executes the physical repair and supports the required flushing setup.

Duration depends on locate clearance, depth, soil stability, dewatering, traffic control, pipe material, diameter, failure length, repair-part availability, valve isolation, contamination category, flushing, and restoration. A localized sleeve repair can be completed within one shift, while cut-out replacement, complex shoring, testing, or extensive road washout can require staged work.

Records can include the location, pipe material and diameter, defect type, repair product, measurements, photographs, installation details, backfill and compaction results, and restoration limits. The operating authority maintains its required classification, disinfection, flushing, disinfectant concentration, sampling, valve, notification, and return-to-service records. Harrowgate supplies construction information for that closeout package.