Water main breaks
The City distinguishes between water leaks and water main breaks. Water leaks are minor main breaks where the break is a pinhole that can usually be repaired with a clamp or boiler plug. The amount of water leaking is much less than a major main break. A main break results in a large volume of water leaking and typically involves a crew, excavation and replacement of a segment of pipe.
There are some streets in Vancouver that are private streets and do not belong to the City of Vancouver. If you know the street you are calling about is a private street, please make sure you tell the property manager of your complex that you have called the City. Provide your 311 case number to the property manager and let him/her know that Waterworks will be processing the call.
To report a leak call 
.
staff may ask the following questions to assess the severity of the problem so be prepared to answer:
- Where is the water leaking? on the sidewalk, roadway or curb
- How much water is running down the street? Light (a trickle), medium (like water flowing from a garden hose), heavy (water running from curb to curb)
- What is the location of the main break?
- What is the intersection? north, south, east, west
- Is water going near electrical wires? this is considered an imminent danger a crew will be dispatched immediately.
- Callers will be asked to provide contact information in case we need to call back to get more details on the incident.
Water main break where the road has collapsed
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Water main break where the road has collapsed
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Water main break where water is running curb to curb
