City crews scramble to repair large sinkhole in Cranberry, BC

© Gerry Frederick

A large sinkhole has appeared near the intersection of 3rd Street South and 20th Avenue South.

Public Works water crews were expecting to have the water back on to approximately half the 100 residences affected by numerous water main breaks across Cranbrook by 7 pm Sunday tonight.

Four full water crews and machinery will continue through the evening to restore water service after a failure in a pressure reducing station overnight Saturday which caused 8 separate water main breaks across the City and a serious sinkhole.

Crews will be moving up to a break at 5th Avenue and 12th Street South as well as working on three separate breaks on 3rd Street South and 20th Avenue near the large sinkholes created near the former Muriel Baxter School site. Officials are expecting that water service will be restored to all affected residents by midnight tonight.

Residents are reminded that as the water service is restored and the water turned back on, you could experience dirty or discoloured water. This is due to the water pressure stirring up sediment in the water lines. The discoloured water is not a health concern. Simply run your cold water tap until the water runs clear.

The City of Cranbrook apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused and appreciates the patience of all the residents affected. Crews continue to work hard to restore water service to all the affected residents as soon as possible.