Narraweena: Burst water mains leaves holes in path and road

A hospital, nursing home and two schools were without water this morning after two mains burst on the northern beaches, leaving big hole and lane closures.

A burst water main has caused a massive hole to emerge on the edge of Warringah Rd, Narraweena on Tuesday morning. Picture: Sydney Water.

A high-voltage power pole was left in danger of toppling over after water from a burst main began “blasting a big hole” in the footpath on the northern beaches on Tuesday morning.

The teetering transmission pole, at the corner of Waratah and Parr parades at Narraweena, was undermined by the force of the escaping water and looks set to be replaced by Ausgrid later today.

A power pole was left leaning precariously after it was undermined by water from a burst main that smashed through the footpath at the corner of Parr and Waratah parades at Narraweena on Tuesday morning. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Sydney Water received a report just after 9am of water gushing from under the concrete footpath and spreading soil and rubble across the roundabout at the intersection.

The main burst just two hours after, and about 700m away, from another burst main that caused a massive hole on the side of Warringah Rd at Narraweena.

Westbound peak hour traffic was badly disrupted after water began pouring out from under the nature strip near the intersection with Northcliffe Ave just before 7am.

Only one of three lanes heading west is open as repairs continued at 1pm.

A Sydney Water emergency repair crew cleans up the soil and rubble left after a water main burst smashed through the footpath at the corner of Parr and Waratah parades at Narraweena. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The burst water main burst at Parr Pde resulted in a temporary loss of water at Narraweena Grove, a nursing home; St John’s Catholic Primary School; Delmar Hospital and Narraweena Public School.

Water was restored by 12.30pm, but water tankers were needed at a couple of locations.

Police said earlier today that the four-way intersection was closed to traffic in all directions. Officers from the Highway Patrol were at the intersection directing traffic.

A police spokesman said school buses on the afternoon run could be diverted.

Ausgrid said its staff were examining the scene and it was likely that the teetering power pole would have to be replaced.

“The power supply to the area has not been disrupted, but if the pole has to be relaced, there may be a temporary interruption to supply,” a spokeswoman said.

“A crane will be needed, but the stability of the roadway needs to be checked first.”

A burst water main has caused a hole to emerge on Warringah Rd, Narraweena. Picture: Sydney Water.

A Sydney Water spokesman said it had a repair crew working on the broken main on Warringah Rd.

“The safety of our people and customers is Sydney Water’s number one priority,” the spokesman said.

A Sydney Water emergency repair crew working on the burst water main on Warringah Rd, Narraweena. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“Our crews responded quickly and have isolated the leak.”