SAN ANTONIO – A water main break just north of downtown San Antonio caused some road closures early Friday morning and left some apartment residents without water.
A 12-inch water main broke around 1:30 a.m. at West Laurel and Maverick, leaving Laurel Street blocked from Maverick to San Pedro.
SAWS crews responded and worked to repair the break through the morning.
By noon, water service had been restored to the area.
But for people who lived in about two dozen apartment units at the Laurel Apartments, the day started without water.
"Brushing my teeth and taking a shower are the most important thing in the morning for me, because I do it twice a day and, well, that part of the routine was out," Joe Barrientos said.
Work -- and the resulting traffic delays in the area -- were expected to take at least eight hours to clear, SAWS officials said.
Barrientos was frustrated that digging didn't start until 6 a.m.
"What I couldn't understand, though, (was) why they weren't out here when they knew the problem existed. They could have had half of that done already," he said.
SAWS crews had to wait for a contractor to locate a gas line in the area before starting excavation, officials said.
For some residents, though, patience was wearing thin. They said this isn't the first water main break that has inconvenienced them.
"This is a continuing problem for this area," said Barrientos. "The problem has always been on this block down. Every four to five months, we've got the same problem. Every time. This is not the first time."
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