Rainbow water main breaks

FALLBROOK — Rainbow Municipal Water District (RMWD) reported a water main break on the afternoon of Sunday, June 29. Standby crews from RMWD responded to a ruptured eight-inch water main located at the intersection of Fallsbrae and Hillrise roads.

Crews shut down the leak at 6:30 p.m. and worked through the night to restore water service. The pipeline was turned back on about 4:30 Monday morning.

According to RMWD General Manager Dave Seymour, the leak occurred in a connection originally used to join together two sections of pipe. Rainbow’s crew took advantage of the excavation and repaired two valves that had been scheduled for work at a later date.

“That will keep us from having to tear up the street again,” Seymour said.

John Maccarrone, Rainbow’s Water Services Supervisor, estimated that almost 36,000 square feet of asphalt will need to be replaced as a result of the break.

“Since the break occurred at the top of a hill, the flowing water undermined a lot of the roadway,” Maccarrone said.

The district is in the process of getting bids for the asphalt repair.

“It was a pretty large repair project, but our customers have all been very patient and understanding,” said Seymour. “We are fortunate to have experienced staff that knows how to take care of these situations and tries to minimize disruptions to the residents.”

RMWD serves water through more than 7,200 meters and provides sewer service to 3,629 connections in the unincorporated communities of Rainbow, Bonsall and a portion of Fallbrook.