Unplanned outage
While we work year-round to replace and refurbish parts of our system, water main breaks do occur. The most common reason for water main breaks in Colorado Springs is our rapid freeze/thaw cycle, which causes soil to shift and puts increased pressure on underground pipes. Pipes can also be hit by contractors or homeowners by digging.
Most water main breaks take between 6 and 8 hours to repair, but can vary based on the availability of resources, complexity of the break, weather conditions and road repair requirements.
Planned outage
Typically, planned water outages are limited to one day – usually between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
We can generally schedule a daylong outage for a specific day, but weather and other factors may require schedule changes.
Tips to prepare for a temporary water outage
- Drinking & Cooking: Fill containers with tap water.
- Handwashing: Run a sink of clean, soapy water.
- Toilets: Fill buckets or a bath tub with water for flushing.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve your service.