Kyoto City says it will rethink how it inspects underground water pipes for possible damage, after water gushing from a broken pipe flooded a busy intersection on Wednesday.
The pipe measuring 30 centimeters in diameter broke early on Wednesday, sending huge amounts of water onto Takakura Intersection on National Route One, about a kilometer from JR Kyoto Station.
City authorities responded by suspending traffic near the site. The pipe was replaced in the afternoon, but traffic restrictions continued until almost midnight.
The incident resulted in the possibility of up to 6,500 buildings having murky tap water. The city dispatched trucks to provide clean water to affected people.
Officials in Kyoto City’s Water Supply and Sewage Bureau say the broken pipe had been installed in 1959, and was due for replacement under the city’s 60-year usage guideline. They say they had planned to replace the pipe around this November.
The officials say they detected no problem when they checked the pipe in late January as part of their annual inspection of such pipes for possible leakage.
The officials say they will reconsider the method and timing of regular inspections.
AloJapan.com