Water Main Breaks Disrupt Traffic, Flood Highland Square in Akron

Crews work to repair multiple aging water mains as community deals with flooding and slush buildup

Feb. 1, 2026 at 2:47am

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Akron is dealing with the aftermath of two water main breaks that have caused significant disruption in the Highland Square neighborhood. The breaks have sent water and slush flowing down Edgerton Road and into the busy Merriman Road intersection, with repairs expected to stretch into the weekend. Crews are juggling multiple aging water mains installed in the early 1900s as they work to address the issues.

Why it matters

Water main breaks are a common problem in older cities like Akron, where infrastructure is aging. These incidents can cause major traffic disruptions, property damage, and safety concerns for residents. The situation highlights the need for ongoing infrastructure investment and maintenance to prevent such issues from recurring.

The details

The first water main break occurred on Edgerton Road, sending water and slush into the Merriman Road intersection near Highland Square. A more severe break on Reynolds Avenue is also drawing resources, forcing crews to only partially close some lines as they juggle multiple aging mains. Repairs are expected to continue through the weekend.

  • The water main breaks occurred on February 1, 2026.

The players

Akron Crews

City workers tasked with responding to and repairing the water main breaks.

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What’s next

Akron officials will continue to monitor the situation and work to fully repair the damaged water mains as quickly as possible to restore normal traffic flow and prevent further flooding in the Highland Square area.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges cities like Akron face in maintaining aging infrastructure, and the need for proactive investment to prevent such disruptive events from occurring in the future.