City of Vancouver crews have stopped a water main burst that flooded half a dozen homes in south Vancouver early Saturday morning.
Shortly after 5 a.m. the city received reports that a 12-inch pipe was pouring water down the street at Maple and 57th Avenue.
City engineer Brian Crowe says pipe bursts are common, and usually harmless, but the sloping terrain in the neighbourhood caused water to flood a number of nearby basements.
"A lot of water can come out of a 12-inch pipe," Crowe said. "It ran downhill and did get into about six homes."
The water main was promptly shut off, but is expected to be turned back on by Saturday evening.
Restoration companies and city workers have already pumped the remaining water from the homes.
Vancouver assistant communications director Wendy Stewart says property damages will be assessed and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
"Some insurance will kick in," Stewart said. "The city's risk management group will be involved and they will be working with property owners."
The cause of the leak is still being determined, but Crowe said erosion is a likely factor.
"It's just a physical failure of the pipe," he said.
No signs of vandalism have been found.
There are 1450 kilometres of pipe beneath the city, most of it ranging from 45 to 100-years-old, Crowe added.
