South Oxford residents along Highway 7 South have experienced yet another water outage recently, following a contractor hitting a water main on Tuesday.

The incident is the second of its kind in just two weeks, leaving many in the area without water for about two hours.

The contractor, TL Wallace, was in the process of relocating gas lines under a permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Transportation when the accident occurred. Oxford Utilities General Manager Rob Neely shared that the same contractor hit another water line in the same area on Aug. 1.

“The boring contractor is required to spot utility lines when they cross with their operation,” Neely said “In both instances, the location of the lines was marked accurately by Oxford Utilities.”

On this latest hit, Neely explained that there was an older 8-inch water line, about 50 years old, near the new main, which was incorrectly spotted at a shallower depth. The contractor went under the old line but hit the newer, deeper main, leading to the break.

Residents from the NMRC to the South Lamar Boulevard/Highway 7 intersection were affected, including the Windsor Falls Subdivision. Water service was restored in about two hours. OU employees worked until 3 a.m. to restore services.

Neely said the frequency of damage to the water system and its impact on customers is concerning.

“When contractors hit utility lines and are found liable for damage, we compile invoices and invoice them for the repair,” Neely said. “We are voicing this concern to the contractor and MDOT, with the expectation that they work more carefully around important city facilities.”