Fairfax Water responded to gushing water at 11459 Washington Plaza, Lake Anne, Reston, on Jan. 13. According to eyewitness and impacted customer John Lovaas, who lives in a townhouse nearby, seven Fairfax Water vehicles responded to the break, and it took crews "major work" to locate it.

“Crews dug mostly with shovels because underground pipes and conduits were in close proximity to the suspected leaking water pipe,” Lovaas said.

According to Lovaas's estimate, excavation through the asphalt road surface and ground ultimately was 20 feet long, five feet wide, and up to 10 feet deep. Fairfax Water located the leak at approximately 5 p.m. and repaired the pipe. About an hour later, Fairfax Water restored service.

Lovaas estimated the number of impacted townhouses to be 23 including his own, and the number of impacted condo apartments including the 15-story Heron House to be 72. He said his estimate is “low.” Fairfax Water reported 40 customers out of service on its website.

“The crews deserve some praise and a pat on the back,” Lovaas said.