COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff John Pollack says the actual cost of fixing a major water leak during the New Year holiday weekend at the County Jail is not known but he fears it will significantly affect his budget.
Pollack provided an update for Branch County Commissioners during their organizational meeting on Tuesday.
He said the leak began at about 3:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon and eventually affected five cells.
Not knowing where the pipe was located at was part of the reason why it wasn’t fixed immediately
The leak was eventually found and patched at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning but not before workers had to cut out the cell floor and dig at least six feet under the surface.
Pollack said the pipe which carried drinking water was placed in the 1930’s and it was the same pipe which broke a couple of years ago.
He added reports of inmates going without drinking water for hours were false.
Pollack said they did not have to move anybody out of the jail thanks to the cooperation of the inmates. The Sheriff said it will be several days before repairs can be made as they are waiting for the water that built up under the jail to recede.
