Posted on: February 1, 2023, 03:29h.
Last updated on: February 1, 2023, 03:29h.
Isle of Capri Casino in Missouri became the latest US gaming property forced to close due to a water main break. It reopened this week after repairs were made over several hours.
The Isle of Capri Casino Hotel in Boonville reopened late Tuesday afternoon, KMIZ, a local TV station, reported. Casino officials provided alerts on social media to keep customers informed on progress being made.
“We apologize for the inconvenience this caused and we want to thank you for your patience and wish you good luck,” the casino added in a Twitter post.
Once the water main broke, the city of Boonville Public Works Department sent a crew to the casino. The workers identified and solved the cause of the break “quickly,” the Twitter post added.
We are temporarily closed until further notice. We will post updates to our social media pages. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/4axGrnWUDx
— Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Boonville (@IsleOfCapriBV) January 31, 2023
The casino is located on the Missouri River. It is about 103 miles east of Kansas City.
Broken pipes and water main breaks have led to other casinos nationwide to close until repairs could be made.
Prior Pipe Repairs
A few weeks ago, on January 14, a refrigeration pipe cracked at Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino, WTAE, a local TV station, reported.
The gaming floor got flooded by green liquid. Puddles formed on the floor near slot machines.
But slot players continued to play the machines.
Eventually, the casino was forced to shutter for several hours while staff pumped away the liquid. Players were evacuated until work was completed.
“It gives a whole other meaning to the Rivers Casino because that’s literally what it looks like, like a river of bubbles coming across the floor,” Samantha Brown, a casino spokesperson, was quoted by WTAE.
“Half of the casino, just covered with water,” Nancy Amdrus, an eyewitness to the flooding, told WTAE.
Also, last September, Indiana’s Belterra Casino Resort also was forced to close due to a water main break. That gaming venue was evacuated, too.
The Florence, Ind. casino was closed for about 12 hours, WDRB, a TV station, reported.
Boyd Gaming spokesperson David Strow later explained that the water main break led to no pressure in the fire sprinkler system.
No water pressure could lead to a dangerous situation if a fire broke out.
Fixing Water Mains
The city of West Allis, Wis. posted online that complete repairing of a water main can last between a few hours and a few days.
Variables that could impact the time to repair include how big is the break, where it is located, and where the main is located.
If it is located deep in the ground or near other utility infrastructure, that likely will take more time due to the extra work involved.
A general rule to repair a water main is they are often fixed between four and eight hours.
No matter the extent of damage, a crew needs to shut valves and temporarily and close down the water supply, while the main is fixed.
The main may be repaired or even replaced if the pipe is heavily damaged.
After the work is done, crews will flush the main before it is connected to the water system, the West Allis website explained.
