Warren water works weekend
City department fixed 8 broken lines

Staff photo / Chris McBride Crews work on repairing a water main break on Highland Avenue SW and Miller Street SW near Monument of Faith COGIC Church, one of several water main breaks contractors and water department staff spent Monday repairing across the area.
WARREN — City water department officials reported eight water main breaks over the weekend, primarily affecting residential areas in the north, east and southwest parts of the city.
Utilities Director Franco Lucarelli explained the causes and ongoing repair efforts during a news briefing Monday.
“Sunday we had eight water main breaks overnight. Most were on the north end, with one on the east side and another on the southwest side,” Lucarelli said.
He clarified that the affected areas were residential neighborhoods and not large commercial zones. The breaks involved 6-inch mains supplying homes.
Lucarelli noted that aging infrastructure played a major role.
“The average age of these water mains is 100 years old, dating back to 1925. Freezing temperatures cause the ground to shift, and since cast iron pipes aren’t flexible, they break,” he said.
The city has been working on a long-term water line replacement project.
“We’re taking proactive steps to replace aging water mains before they break. With 305 miles of water main to maintain, we aim to replace 1 to 2 miles annually,” Lucarelli said.
However, he acknowledged that budget constraints limit how much can be replaced each year. “It costs about $1.5 million per mile to replace water mains, and with over 50% of our system being 75 to 100 years old, it’s a significant challenge,” he said.
Replacement projects have been completed on Mahoning Avenue, with work ongoing on Miller and Dane streets. Additional projects are planned for 2025.
Lucarelli addressed concerns about reimbursements for residents affected by water main breaks, stating that such events are considered “acts of God” and are not eligible for compensation. He assured residents that crews are dispatched within an hour of notification and prioritize repairs based on severity and impact.
He also offered advice to residents affected by water main breaks.
“Once the break is repaired and service is restored, we recommend running cold water for a few minutes to clear any air in the lines,” Lucarelli said.
Lucarelli also advised residents to protect their pipes during freezing temperatures by keeping homes at around 50 degrees even when away from home.