If you noticed a drop in water pressure on Wednesday morning of last week, it wasn't your imagination. The water main that burst around 6:30 a.m. on Ellard Avenue and Middle Neck Road was severe and it took until 11 p.m. to repair. Water Authority of Great Neck North Superintendent Robert Graziano was at the site and told the Record that the 12-inch main that ruptured was a newer one that had been laid by Citizens Water Company, the private water company that was purchased by the authority 17 years ago. The pipe was a PVC (poly vinyl chloride) one that has a tendency to split. This particular split was major, 15 feet in length.

The authority, when it replaces piping, uses ductile iron pipes that are considered to be the industry standard for water systems because they are durable, strong and reliable.

Mr. Graziano followed up with a phone call the next day to inform the Record that unfortunately 12 families were without water until the piping was restored at 11 p.m. Temporary paving was put down, and when weather conditions permit, permanent paving will be installed. In addition, the damaged sidewalk will be repaired in a day or two.

The estimated cost for the entire emergency job is $15,000, which comes from a budgeted contingency fund. The authority has an ongoing scheduled program to replace old piping every year so that eventually the whole system will have more reliable piping. The annual budget for the water main replacement program is $500,000.

Mr. Graziano thanked the affected residents for their patience, the Village of Great Neck public works employees who assisted authority workers, the 6th Precinct officers who first reported the break, and the authority's workers who labored steadily during a windy day when the temperature plunged to freezing.