City of New Westminster engineers are on the scene of a water main break on Sixth Street that has flooded basements of local businesses and forced the city to cut water service to the area.
"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 he has doubts about whether some of the businesses will be able to serve customers today.
Crosty said neighbouring restaurant Old Bavaria Haus has two feet of water pooled in the basement.
Susan Jung, communications officer for the City of New Westminster, said engineers expect water service to be restored by about noon.
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.
