IMPACT913: Water Main Break on Monroe Avenue

This page will offer information related to the recent catastrophic water main break that took place on Monroe Avenue on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Please check back occasionally for updates.

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In summary, a 36" water main pipe burst underneath Monroe Avenue near the corner of Rosedale Street in front of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star church <MAP LINK> on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

More background information and pictures related to the incident itself are available here: Chaos, devastation in the heart of Upper Monroe

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ALL residents, tenants and property owners in Upper Monroe are urged to complete this simple but very important survey:

IMPACT913 - Click here to send information to UMNA about damage you sustained, if any, OR other experiences in the aftermath of the water main break on Monroe Avenue. SURVEY CLOSED October 4, 2025

FINAL Results From The IMPACT913 Survey

This survey was available to the entire Upper Monroe neighborhood community from September 15, 2025 though October 4, 2025. Participation in the survey was voluntary. The results have not been audited or otherwise verified for accuracy or completeness. The goal of the survey was to obtain contemporary, first person accounts of the catastrophe.

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Water Main Break Community Responses FINAL 100425.pdf

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Selected news coverage on and after September 16th (most recent at the top):

NEWS10NBC - Part of Monroe Ave will close through next week after water main break causes flooding by: Chris Fortune - News10NBC Updated: September 17, 2025 - 6:56 AM Published: September 15, 2025 - 4:00 PM

WHAM13 - Monroe Avenue to remain closed during 'extensive' repairs after water main break by: Lowell Rose Posted Tue, September 16th 2025 at 7:04 PM Updated Tue, September 16th 2025 at 7:06 PM

RochesterFirst.com - Repairs shift to underground damage after Monroe Ave. water main break by: Gio Battaglia Posted: Sep 16, 2025 / 05:37 PM EDT Updated: Sep 17, 2025 / 06:47 AM EDT

Some questions and ideas to consider for tenants who may have been impacted.

If your personal belongings have been damaged and you have renters insurance, contact your insurance company before you replace or repair your belongings.

If your building or your apartment was damaged or infiltrated by by water from the incident, contact your landlord or your landlord's property manager to learn more about what is being done. Here are a couple of questions to consider:

• Has your landlord or property manager provided you with an explanation of what exactly happened in your building so you can better understand the potential impacts on your health and/or your property?

• Has your landlord or property manager discussed a remediation plan with you? For example, is your building/unit being cleaned by a recognized, certified, accredited, or otherwise reputable restoration professionals? If not, why not? What about the timeline?

It's not clear if the City of Rochester will cover any losses. You may want to contact an attorney before taking money out of your pocket to cover losses.

https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/law-department.