FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Crews are working to repair a ruptured water main in Fort Lauderdale that cut off water for thousands of residents in several Broward County cities.
According to Oakland Park officials, a private contractor for Florida Power and Light was putting in a concrete post in the area of Northwest 66th Street and Second Avenue when he broke the 10-inch water main, late Thursday night.
UPDATE: Approx 4,000 residents and businesses in this area are currently without water following an overnight water main break. Once water is restored, people are asked to boil it for at least 48 hours. @OaklandParkFL @mypompanobeach @FTLCityNews @BrowardCounty pic.twitter.com/DiFal4VgEH
— Frank Guzman (@fguzmanon7) July 6, 2018
Area resident Richard Byrnes said he saw the FPL crew near his home. “I was watching FPL putting up poles last night, and I wake up to no water this morning,” he said.
As a result, Broward County Public Works said water has been turned off for about 4,000 residents and businesses roughly within these Oakland Park areas:
- Northeast 45th Street to 69th Street
- North Andrews Avenue to North Dixie Highway
The Membrano family saw the water spilling out of the ground and called authorities.
“Firefighters came, and they said they couldn’t do anything about it,” said Susana Membrano.
The next morning, area resident Yessica Calderon and her family woke up to find their home with no running water.
“I got up, and when I tried to use to use the water, there was no water,” she said.
“There’s, like, no water inside. We can’t use the bathroom. We can’t take a shower,” said Membrano.
Officials said the water main break also affects small portions of Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach south of McNab Road.
“You would think that FPL would have contacted the city and made sure that they weren’t near a municipal line,” said Byrnes.
“It’s hard. It’s really hard, I have three kids, and we need water,” said Calderon.
“I haven’t even had a shower yet, and it’s almost noon, and it sucks,” said Byrnes. “I’ve got animals in my house that need water, and with this heat and everything, it’s gonna get to my animals real quick.”
A nearby Five Guys restaurant was among several businesses that remained closed on Friday. The staff of the restaurant put up a sign on their front door apologizing for the inconvenience.
Friday evening, 7News cameras captured the replacement parts that crews will install to repair the broken line.
Broward County Public Works said they hope crews finish repairs by Friday night. Once water is restored, a boil water notice will be issued for at least two days.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.