Water Main Break Plagues Cleveland Neighborhood for Weeks

Residents in Detroit-Shoreway area frustrated by steady flow of water and icy conditions

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A water main break in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood has been flowing for weeks, creating a steady stream across the road and icy conditions that have made it difficult for residents to get in and out of the area. Locals have tried contacting the city multiple times, but with resources stretched thin due to the high number of breaks this winter, the repair has been delayed.

Why it matters

Water main breaks can cause significant disruption to neighborhoods, leading to property damage, transportation issues, and concerns about public safety. This ongoing issue in Detroit-Shoreway highlights the challenges cities face in maintaining aging infrastructure, especially during harsh winter weather when breaks become more common.

The details

The water main break was first noticed by resident Patrick Keirnan on January 18, with a steady flow of water bubbling up from the pavement. The icy conditions have made it difficult for neighbors to get in and out of the area. Keirnan has tried contacting the city multiple times, but has faced long hold times and been told they are aware of the issue. The city's Division of Water has stated they are prioritizing repairs based on severity, number of customers affected, and overall system integrity, but have not provided a timeline for when this break will be fixed.

  • The water main break was first noticed on January 18, 2026.
  • The break has been flowing for approximately 3 weeks as of February 6, 2026.

The players

Patrick Keirnan

A resident of the Wakefield section of Detroit-Shoreway who first noticed the water main break on January 18.

City of Cleveland Division of Water

The municipal department responsible for maintaining the city's water infrastructure and responding to breaks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I came down here and thought, 'That's a pretty, pretty severe little bubbling one.' And it's still going strong. It's frozen the street a little bit and made it tough to get in and out of the neighborhood.”

— Patrick Keirnan, Resident (wkyc.com)

“Our repair crews are working to address the break on Wakefield Ave. as quickly as possible. Due to the extremely cold temperatures, our service area is experiencing a number of main breaks. We prioritize breaks based on several factors, including the severity of break, number of customers affected, and overall system integrity.”

— City of Cleveland Division of Water (wkyc.com)

What’s next

The city did not provide a specific timeline for when the water main break on Wakefield Avenue will be repaired, but stated they are prioritizing the issue based on factors like severity and impact on customers.

The takeaway

This ongoing water main break in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood underscores the challenges cities face in maintaining aging infrastructure, especially during harsh winter weather when breaks become more common. While the city is working to address the issue, the extended timeline has left frustrated residents dealing with icy conditions and disruptions to their neighborhood.