Crews from DC Water and PEPCO are trying to repair a water main break in Northwest that caused water to pour into an excavation site early Saturday morning.
The break in the 20-inch main happened shortly after 4 a.m. at 17th Street between Rhode Island and Pennsylvania Avenues NW. News4's Derrick Ward reported that at least six pieces of heavy equipment were submerged as water filled the excavation site, which was estimated to be between 40 and 50 feet deep. Roads around the area were closed.
DC Water General Manager George Hawkins told Ward that service disruptions were possible between Massachusetts Avenue and I Street NW. Hawkins also said that the main was built in 1897, and it was not clear whether the break had anything to do with the construction activity.
DC Water estimated that the break would be repaired at around 11:30 Saturday night. M Street is currently closed in both directions between 16th Street and Connecticut Avenue NW until repairs are completed, as are the northbound lanes of 17th Street between Rhode Island Avenue and M Street NW. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Stay with NBCWashington.com for more on this developing story.