According to Ridgewood Water officials, the physics of freezing temperatures creates a “perfect storm” for underground infrastructure
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — It has been a busy week for infrastructure in the Village. Despite the biting February chill, Ridgewood Water crews and contractors have been working around the clock to maintain service and upgrade safety standards for local residents.
Emergency Repair: Franklin & Chestnut Water Main Break
On Friday, February 6, 2026, Ridgewood Water successfully repaired a significant water main break at the busy intersection of Franklin Avenue and Chestnut Street.
The Ridgewood Police Department remained on-site throughout the day to manage traffic flow, ensuring that commuters could safely navigate the area while crews accessed the ruptured pipe.
The Science of the Snap: Why Pipes Break in February
Many residents ask why water main breaks seem to cluster during the winter months. According to Ridgewood Water officials, the physics of freezing temperatures creates a “perfect storm” for underground infrastructure.
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Expansion Pressure: When groundwater freezes, it expands with incredible force. This shifts the soil and doubles the external pressure on buried pipes—jumping from an average of 400 PSI to a staggering 800 PSI (pounds per square inch).
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Pipe Brittleness: Extreme cold makes older iron pipes more brittle, reducing their ability to flex under pressure.
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The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: The most dangerous time for a pipe isn’t just the deep freeze, but the subsequent thaw. The rapid change in temperature creates micro-cracks that quickly turn into major breaks.
Lead Service Line Replacements: Next Week’s Schedule
While emergency repairs took center stage this week, the Village’s proactive Lead Service Line Replacement Program continues. Ridgewood Water’s contractors are braving the cold to ensure every home has access to modern, lead-free infrastructure.
Where will crews be next week?
Barring extreme weather or unforeseen emergencies, crews are scheduled to work on the following streets starting February 9, 2026:
| Neighborhood Zones | Streets Scheduled for Work |
| North/Central Ridgewood | Ackerman Ave, Arden Ct, Avondale Rd, Carlton Ter, Cedar Ave |
| West Side/Heights | Doremus Ave, Evergreen Pl, Fairfield Ave, Farview St, Heights Rd |
| Hillcrest/Meadowbrook | Hillcrest Rd, Hillside Pl, Libby Ave, Madison Pl, Maynard Ct, Meadowbrook Ave |
| South/East Ridgewood | Monte Vista Ave, Morningside Rd, Pearsall Ave, S. Irving St, Spring Ave, Sunset Ave, Waiku Rd |
Pro Tip for Residents: If your street is on the list, please ensure all vehicles are cleared from the roadway by 7:00 AM to allow heavy machinery access to the service lines.
A 24/7 Commitment
Ridgewood Water reminds the community that emergency crews are on call 24/7. If you spot water surfacing in the roadway or experience a sudden loss of water pressure, please report it immediately to the Ridgewood Water emergency line.
A big “Thank You” to the dedicated men and women who worked through the night at Franklin and Chestnut to keep our water running!
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