City of New Westminster engineers resolved a water main break on Sixth Street that flooded basements of local businesses and forced the city to cut water service to the area on Thursday.
"It was gushing out of the ground this morning when we came into work and (city engineers) were panicking, trying to figure out where it was coming from," said James Crosty, owner of Root Source Inc. on Sixth. "It was like a river flowing down the street."
Crosty said the water was shut off by around 9: 45 a.m., but it was doubtful whether some of the businesses would be able to serve customers Thursday.
Crosty said neighbouring restaurant Old Bavaria Haus had two feet of water pooled in the basement.
Bob Jack, supervisor of water for the city, said it was a fairly routine water main break and repair.
"It was just an accident. The contractor hit the pipe. We had it shut off in 20 minutes and back on in an hour-and-a-half," he said. "These things happen."
Crosty said the water main break has just exacerbated frustrations Sixth Street business owners have had since construction and water main replacements began on the street in May.
