Crews Discover Line Break Near Holt, EMA to Distribute Water Monday

Crews have discovered a massive water intake line break in Holt that may be responsible for the drastic drop in pressure at one of Tuscaloosa's water treatment plants.

The major failure of the line appears to have been caused by washouts during the torrential rain and widespread flooding that Tuscaloosa County saw Saturday when Tropical Storm Claudette dumped up to 10 inches of rain in already saturated areas.

Mayor Walt Maddox and council president Kip Tyner both took to social media to share the news and said the break has left the Cresent Ridge Road water tank virtually empty Sunday evening.

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The city's Department of Infrastructure and Public Works has closed valves to shut off water running through the broken lines so repairs can begin, but the move will leave some customers without water for up to 48 hours.

The Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency will be deployed to Holt Elementary school Monday morning and beginning at 7:30, will distribute 46,000 bottles of water to those impacted by the move.

Maddox and Tyner advised residents south of the Black Warrior River to sign up to receive notifications for TuscAlert, which will notify any residents of decisions that impact their households through texts, calls or emails.

All municipal water customers are still urged to take conservation measures as the city works to resolve this problem.

Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for additional public updates as they are made available.