BY PAUL KIRBY
Freeman staff
pkirby@fremanonline.com; twitter.com/PaulatFreeman

KINGSTON, N.Y.  – A shifting of underground sediment at the Washington Avenue sinkhole popped a joint of a water main Saturday, disrupting service to about 18 customers, according to Water Superintendent Judith Hansen.

Hansen said tonight the continuing shifting of earth at the site “blew out” the joint which was held in place by a material put there in the 1930s and has become brittle.

Hansen said workers were able to seal up the pipe and water service was restored on Saturday afternoon.

Common Council President James Noble, who is a plumber by trade, said the joint problem occurred in the vicinity of the original sinkhole, but more towards state Route 32, commonly referred to as The Boulevard.

Noble along with Mayor Shayne Gallo and U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, visited the site on Monday, Noble said.

Hansen said the water department and City Engineer Ralph Swenson are examining whether to cap another 25-foot section of the water main and reroute the water. Hansen said this may mean that water pipes will be laid on sidewalks, but that all attempts are being made to avoid doing that.

The water department has already capped a section of the water main at the sinkhole to keep water flowing to customers if there is a breakage there and to prevent water from spilling onto workers expected to repair a leaky 100-year tunnel that carries stormwater.

The leaky tunnel is being blamed for the opening up of sinkholes on Washington Avenue near Linderman Avenue.

The sinkhole has already caused a variety of problems in the area including damage to a water lateral pipe into the home of City Planner Suzanne Cahill. The damage resulted in flooding of her Washington Avenue home.

It has also caused a breach to a sewer pipe beneath the roadway which has allowed for gravel and sand to get into the pipe and make its way to the wastewater treatment plant. Continued...

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Plant workers are taking measures to prevent the material from getting into the plant’s biological treatment area, but Noble has already expressed concerns about the breach.

Gallo has said the sewer pipe breach problem could lead to “serious consequences” for the operation of the wastewater treatment plant on the East Strand.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Co. has shut off gas service to some residents in the area and provided them with propane or other electric services.

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