NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Water Services says crews are making progress on sewer line inspections following the Christmas Day bombing, and so far, have not found any major issues.
MWS officials provided an update Thursday, saying sewer line inspections in Union Street, Church Street and Commerce Street, as well as 4th Avenue North, 3rd Avenue North and Printers Alley have been completed. Public Information Officer Sonia Allman said crews will begin at 1st and Union today working toward Broadway. Once that’s completed, 2nd Avenue will be inspected.
“Initial inspection has not shown any major issues in televised pipes,” Allman said in a release Thursday morning.
Earlier this week, crews began inspecting the sewer lines to determine the extent of the damage. The sewer pipes in downtown are a combination of clay, concrete and an unknown material that is most likely clay. Some of the clay pipes date back to 1903, and there is concern that some of the underground infrastructure may have failed due to the impact and vibration of the blast.
William Swann, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) director, said at least 37 buildings were impacted by the blast – 18 of which had minor or major damage. Swann said 400 residents and 1200 employees are displaced and more than 45 businesses were impacted.
Additionally, OEM officials said the operational area has been reduced to just 1st and 2nd from Broadway to Union. The area from 1st and 2nd Avenue from Commerce to Church is still restricted to everyone without a proper escort.
