Leaking pipe draining into street

A broken water pipe under the China Kitchen restaurant on Carson Street has been leaking a steady stream of wasted water into nearby storm drains for more than a week.

Carson City Water Operations Chief Curtis Horton said city utilities staff found the source of the leak several days ago under the restaurant's cement foundation on the edge of Carson Street.

"It's a difficult leak," Horton said. "It's not easy to get to."

City Engineer Larry Werner said it's not uncommon for the city's aging water pipes to spring leaks - but usually they are in more accessible spots.

He said attempts to reach the leak for repair may require extensive excavation.

A resident living near the restaurant said he has seen water running from the front of the restaurant into gutters and storm drains every day for as long as a month.

However, Horton said he heard of the leak about a week ago.

He said the city is trying to work with the landowner to locate the leak and recruit a land maintenance company from Reno to fix it.

A woman who identified herself as the restaurant manager said she hopes the landlord will have the leak fixed by Tuesday.

"It's taking a long time," she said. "It's under the concrete and it's not a small job."

Werner said the city will not shut off the restaurant's water supply to save the wasted water.

"It would shut the whole restaurant down," he said. "We don't want to do that."

Horton said he may have to fine the restaurant $25 for wasting water. He said landowners have two hours to stop the leak after they have been fined.

"We don't want to have to do that yet," he said. "We just want to work with them to fix the problem."

Contact Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.