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Extreme heat causing more frequent water main breaks in Johnson County

Posted at 4:35 PM, Jun 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-21 17:41:26-04

The heat wave we have been dealing with is causing more frequent water main breaks in the Kansas City region.

Our hot weather plays a role in water main breaks. One reason is because people use more water in the extreme heat, and that puts more pressure on the pipes. Also, when it's hot outside and cooler underground, the ground shifts, which leads to pipes bursting.

A water main break closed the Shawnee branch of the Johnson County Library on Tuesday.

We also checked in with water crews in Kansas City and they said they are averaging two water main breaks a day for the month of June. 

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Alyson Bruner can be reached at alyson.bruner@kshb.com.

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