The city is responding to an emergency water break on 9th Street Northeast, between 32nd and 34th Avenues Northeast.

This section of roadway will be closed for about six hours, beginning around 1:30 p.m., while crews complete necessary repairs.

Residents in the affected area may experience reduced water pressures or a temporary loss of water service, according to the city public works department, but full water service is expected to be restored around 5:30 p.m.

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The water main that broke is a 16-inch cast iron main that was installed in 1965, according to the city, and is included in the public works capital improvement plan for replacement, currently projected three-five years out.

Age and corrosion are the likely causes of the break, but city staff said they’ll know more as the pipe is further exposed.

A city crew is actively working on the repair.

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They’ve identified a sizable hole in the bottom of the pipe and are placing a wrap on the main while it remains under positive pressure, according to the city.

Once the wrap is in place, water service should be restored but the road closure will remain in effect until the excavation area is deemed safe, according to public works staff.

Since the main is still under positive pressure as the crew excavates, there’s no risk of contamination at this time, according to the city.