Netherlands repairs water leak – companies consider the impact

Netherlands — Workers from the city of Nederland repaired a major water leak that affected homeowners and businesses from Sunday into Monday.

The leak was reported Sunday near Nederland Avenue between 25th and 27th streets.

The city made temporary repairs to the leak on Sunday and made permanent repairs on Monday.

The leak reduced or cut off water service to some customers, including the Brick Oven Pizza Company on Nederland Avenue.

“They cut off our water,” said Misty Jehlan. “So unfortunately we had to go because we couldn't drink our sodas or anything like that.”

Employees were unable to wash dishes and used hand sanitizer to wash their hands.

“Without the drinks, we can't take orders for food in the restaurant, and we've already had to turn away four or five tables and go somewhere else because the guests couldn't sit down to eat,” Jehlen said. “I can't make my dough for the next two days until the water problem is solved. So if I can't make the dough, there's no pizza.”

Iliana Chabera is the owner of Snazzy Paws across from Brick Oven.

“I was in the middle of grooming the dog and giving him a bath,” Chabera said. “I got her all wet and soaped her up. When I went to rinse her off, I realized the water wasn't working. I panicked because you can't leave soap on a dog. I went to my other co-owner Tiffany and she said, 'We'll just have to use water bottles.'”

Although repairs have been completed, some report that problems continue.

City officials said workers would flush water pipes today to remove the water.

“I have noticed some black spots in our water, so we are currently out of sodas and must continue to use hand sanitizer as the water appears to be unclean,” Jehlan said. “However, our general manager is currently investigating this issue.”

The city manager told KFDM that weather phenomena and extreme heat caused the leak.