On August 31, 2022, a chemical pump issue at the Ashland City Water Treatment plant cut water to much of the town. The town asked everyone to conserve water while tanks refilled, and schools dismissed students early. When service comes back after a day like that, the real risks are inside the house.
Key takeaways
- The August 31, 2022 outage came from a plant pump problem, not a storm, and the town said the water was not contaminated.
- Because the cause was a pump, the town said customers did not need to flush their pipes.
- Taps left open during an outage run freely when pressure returns.
- Returning pressure can expose weak hoses and fittings on washers, dishwashers, ice makers and water heaters.
- A leak found early means a wet floor, while a leak found late means wet walls, cabinets and subfloor.
What happened on August 31, 2022
A chemical pump issue at the Ashland City Water Treatment plant cut water to much of the town. The town asked residents to conserve water under its Drought Plan while the tanks refilled.
Schools dismissed students early because of the outage. Afterward, the town said the water was not contaminated and, because the cause was a pump, customers did not need to flush their pipes.
The town operates a water treatment plant that serves residential, business and industrial customers in the city and surrounding areas. A problem there reaches many households at once.
This was a plant equipment problem, not a storm or a freeze. Even so, home plumbing across town went without pressure and then filled again all at once.
Why leaks appear when water returns
While service is off, pipes sit empty. When it returns, pressure rises quickly, and anything that was left open or was already weak is tested.
Most of these problems are small. The danger is that they run unseen behind a cabinet or a washer for hours.
A water heater refills when service returns, and a weak fitting or valve shows itself quickly. A tap left open before the household left for work can run all day.
- A faucet, tub or hose bib left open during the outage.
- A washer or dishwasher hose that was loose or worn.
- An ice maker supply hose that was disturbed.
- A water heater that refills and finds a weak fitting.
- A toilet that keeps filling and never shuts off.
A short walk-through when service returns
A few minutes of checking right after the water returns can prevent a weekend of cleanup. Do the walk-through while someone is home.
Before restoring the water
If the main valve was closed during the outage, open it slowly. A sudden surge is harder on fittings than a gradual fill.
- Check that every faucet, tub and sink is closed, unless you know which ones were left open.
- Look at the washer and dishwasher hoses for cracks or bulges.
- Make sure the water heater has its drain and relief valve closed.
After the water is back
Run a cold tap until the water runs steady, then walk through the house looking and listening.
If anyone was away during the outage, check the house even if everything seems fine.
- Look under sinks for drips.
- Check behind the washer and around the water heater.
- Listen for water running when nothing is on.
- If the water meter keeps moving with everything off, a leak is somewhere.
Signs of a slow leak in the days after
Some leaks start small and only show later. Check the same spots for several days after service returns.
Slow leaks often hide behind cabinet doors. Open the doors, pull out the stored items and look at the cabinet floor with a flashlight.
- Cabinet floors that feel soft or look swollen.
- A stain or bubbling paint on a wall near a bathroom or kitchen.
- Baseboards that lift or darken.
- A musty smell near an appliance.
- A higher water bill that the household cannot explain.
If water is found
Shut off the valve to the source first, or the main valve if the source is unclear. Then get the water out before it reaches walls and subfloor.
Water extraction removes the standing water. A split hose or fitting falls under burst pipe water damage, while a slow washer or dishwasher leak is handled as appliance leak water damage.
- Photograph the source and the wet area.
- Move items off the wet floor.
- Pull out cabinet contents so the base can be checked.
- Expect moisture readings on the cabinet, wall and floor before anything is closed up.
- Have a plumber replace the failed hose or fitting once the water is off.
How drying works after a hidden leak
The crew starts with moisture readings on the cabinet, the wall base and the floor to learn how far the water went. Cabinet bases, toe kicks and baseboards come off when needed so air can reach the hidden cavity.
This is the same method used in structural drying, and it is what keeps a small leak from turning into a large repair.
- Air movers push air across wet surfaces.
- Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the room.
- Daily readings show whether drying is on track.
- Equipment stays until readings match a dry reference.
Being ready for the next outage
A town water outage can come from a plant problem, a main break or a storm. A few habits make the return of service safer.
Policies often treat sudden leaks and long-term seepage differently, so write down the date a leak was found and when service returned.
The town's City Hall processes service interruption requests. For the wider picture of local service, see the Ashland City water damage pages.
- Know where the main valve is and make sure it turns.
- Close the valve if the house will be empty during an outage.
- Replace old rubber hoses on washers and dishwashers before they fail.
- Keep a few towels and a bucket near the laundry area.
Questions
Was the water contaminated after the August 2022 outage?
The town said it was not. Because the cause was a pump problem, the town also said customers did not need to flush their pipes.
Why do leaks start when water comes back?
Pipes sit empty during an outage, and pressure returns quickly. Weak fittings, loose hoses and open taps are all tested at once.
How can I tell if an appliance hose is leaking?
Look for drips, damp spots, cracks or bulges, and check the floor behind the machine. A hose that is wet to the touch or has a stain beneath it needs attention.
Should I close the main valve during an outage?
If the house will be empty, closing it keeps any open tap from running when service returns. Open it slowly afterward and check the house.
How long does drying take after a hidden leak?
Often a few days, longer if water reached the subfloor or wall cavity. Moisture readings decide when the equipment can leave.
Who handles water service interruption requests?
The town's City Hall processes water quality, service interruption, billing, new service and cancellation requests.