RIVERDALE -- A broken coupling caused an estimated 500,000 gallons of water to flow out of a Weber Basin Water building in Riverdale Monday afternoon, and now the city is turning to storage reservoirs to supply water.
Officials said the accident caused nearly $500,000 in damages. The water that escaped came from a well that supplies water to homes. Those homes will have to get their water from storage reservoirs until the damages are repaired.
The coupling burst shortly before 12:30 at a building near 4550 S 700 W. The building sits atop a deep ground water well, one of 18 in the district.
Brad Nelson, Drinking Water Manager for Weber Basin Water, said the water flowed for about 30 minutes. The water flowed up through the roof of the building, creating a geyser dozens of feet high.
A piece of carbon steel pipe flew across the room and damaged a hypochloride tank. Nelson said the coupling probably came loose due to a combination of time and pressure.
