Water outage in New Albany caused by fiber optic contractor already under scrutiny

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — A fiber optic contractor is once again under fire in Floyd County — this time for causing a water outage that’s left some residents dry for more than six hours.

Indiana American Water confirmed that a crew working for Lumos, a fiber optic company installing cable in New Albany, hit a marked water line Friday morning in the area of Mel Smith Road and Royal Oak Drive.

“It’s been about 6.5 hours since the water went out in this neighborhood,” Joe Bellanca, a nearby resident. “Can’t shower, can’t flush. You get one flush out of each toilet, and then you’re done for the day.”

Bellanca is relying on about 20 to 30 gallons of rainwater he had stored in barrels to get by, just enough to give water to his two dogs and, perhaps, fill a toilet or two.

“I came out, and the water was pouring out from the corner — looked like a little geyser,” Bellanca said. “Bunch of construction guys standing around looking at it.”

In a statement to WDRB News, Indiana American Water said, “We observed the markings that are required before people or companies start a digging project, and we determined the locations for our water lines were accurate.”

The company said the line was clearly marked before it was struck. About 70 customers were affected. After service is restored, customers will be under a 24-hour boil water advisory.

The issue happened just down the road from the Cobblers Crossing subdivision, where Lumos was already under scrutiny. Earlier this month, Floyd County officials issued a stop-work order after residents said they were blindsided by the sudden and disruptive fiber optic installation project.

“They seem to be in a big hurry to get this done, but they’re not doing really careful work,” said John Manzo, Vice President of the Cobblers Crossing Homeowner's Association, in a June 5 WDRB report. “If you were to take a ride around the subdivision, you would see all sorts of stuff going on — basically a mess that’s taken over the whole subdivision.”

The company was eventually allowed to resume work after presenting a corrective action plan. Lumos’ Director of Construction Relations, George Kemp, who previously led Indiana’s 811 system that coordinates utility markings, acknowledged mistakes and said some subcontractors had been fired.

But this week, residents said the problems returned when the company was allowed to start work again. Neighbors in Cobblers Crossing told WDRB that Lumos crews have been speeding through the area, working late into the night, sometimes as late as 11 p.m., and disrupting their internet and cable service.

Then, came the water line strike on Friday.

Now, Floyd County has once again ordered Lumos to stop all work, this time, indefinitely.

Back on Mel Smith Road, Bellanca just hopes the company comes back to clean up the mud they left behind.

Lumos issued the following statement late Friday afternoon:

“Lumos is aware of the water line disruption that occurred today and investigated promptly. Our crews continue to take all necessary precautions to construct the network safely and are coordinating closely with Floyd County officials and staff, with a meeting scheduled for Monday. With the most recent progress, the project is nearing completion in this specific neighborhood which will be followed by seamless restoration.”

Previous Coverage:

Judge issues immediate stop-work order for fiber optic installation in Floyd County

Floyd County halts fiber optic work after resident complaints, multiple gas line strikes

Fiber optic company faces backlash in Floyd County over damaged property, unsafe practices