"It's the freeze and thaw cycle:" West Allis Crews responded to 19 water main breaks this month

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The extreme temperature changes are causing an increase in water main breaks in West Allis.

In the first 11 days of the year, crews repaired 19 broken water mains. 

"It is a little busier than years past but most of them have been circular cycle breaks so that's ground movement. It's the freeze and thaw cycle that's been going on with the deep freeze and thaw out," said Mike Brofka, Superintendent of the City of West Allis Water Utility. 

To put it into perspective, Brofka estimates there were a total of 19 broken water mains last January. West Allis has already reached that number and it's only two weeks into the new year. 

On Thursday morning, crews responded to a double water main break at 107th Street and Lincoln Avenue. Crews shut the water off for two buildings while they made the repairs. 

"We have a drill crew that will locate the leak, another team will come in to dig it. They are usually working 16 hours a day and have them come in and do it again," said Brofka. 

Crews estimate that it will take 12 to 16 hours to fix the double water main break. They hope to have the section of road near 107th and Lincoln back open by Thursday evening. 

If you live near a water main break and your water shuts off and turned back on make sure to run some cold water.

"Run some cold water in the tub to just get the air out of the lines and clean the lines out," said Brofka. 

For updates on water main breaks, click here.