Water main break could tie up downtown for month

BALTIMORE - Headaches abound for many in Downtown Baltimore. That water main break in the financial district is likely to keep things tied up for close to a month.

We're just now on day three.

While the city has a temporary water supply to some buildings it's been tough for local businesses and people who live in the area.

  | Ways around the water main break construction |

The city says Thursday morning the water should be restored to everyone who lost it because of the water main break.

Crews are still repairing the water main and the road.

Thursday those who run businesses in this area will have to make another decision: either fight the fix or don't open at all.

While the city has a temporary water supply to some buildings others are wondering if their business can survive.

The Department of Public Works has decided the two block affected area should be dug up and the 20 inch main along with a parallel 10 inch main should be replaced by newer pipes.

While cars are redirected during this repair work, foot traffic is steady. For some businesses that could open no water means no income and for people who live in the area no water means tough living conditions.

"We feel like we're in a third world country right now. We have no water,” said Marion D’Anna. “We had no elevators so we had to go up and down the steps four flights of steps to elave the building to go find facilities.  Today we have no air conditioning and we still have no water but thank heavens  we got the elevators back."

Right now we are being told it's going to take three weeks to get this area back to normal.