Significantly Fewer Waterline Breaks Expected In Tulsa This Year

After record of waterline breaks in 2021 in Tulsa, we look to see where the city stands now.

Crews worked on one waterline break on January 13, which is a noticeable change from February of 2021.

Last year, crews saw 470 breaks in just one month.

Crews said the current warmer temperatures help them make repairs quickly, but they are ready for when the weather changes.

“We’ve placed orders well in advanced to try to have materials ahead of this winter, because we know anything can change at the drop of a hat," said Josh Bilby.

Bilby is Tulsa's Utility System Operations Manager and said the temperature changed drastically in such a short amount of time.

The waterline breaks quickly grew from 10 to more than 400, leaving thousands of people without water.

“It put a strain on our employees for sure. Having to be out there working in the extreme cold temperatures, long hours. We called in help from contractors around the area. We got help from other municipalities such as Broken Arrow, they brought in crews to help us," said Bilby.

It took months for crews to catch up on the breaks and make the necessary repairs.

Bilby said crews are holding their breath and hoping for a mild winter this year.

“Obviously something that is a year old is in a lot better shape than something that’s 50 or 60 years old. If we were in your neighborhood, or your yard or your driveway, I’m not going to say that it’s not going to fail, but it has a less likelihood of failure in that spot if we have another cold winter," said Bilby.