The renovation project in the Knoch School District ran into another snag when water was briefly shut off to the middle and high schools after the contractor accidentally struck a water line.

According to district superintendent David Foley, the incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, when a crew from Mark Hudson Construction accidentally struck a water line.

While the school office briefly grappled with the idea of sending students home for the day, they ultimately determined that it would take just as much time to repair the water break as it would to send buses back to school to pick up the students that used them.

“We had a variety of issues we were concerned with,” Foley said. “We were concerned about sending middle school students home without an adult at home. We were not sure how long it would take, and we were sitting still for a little bit.”

A crew from Kittanning-based Enders Plumbing had the break repaired by 11:20 a.m.

This marks the latest bump in the road for the Knoch school renovation over the past few months, including two gas leaks which occurred when contractors discovered leaks in a gas line while digging. The first occurred on April 22, forcing the middle and high schools to hold two straight “flexible instruction” days on April 23 and 24.

The second gas leak occurred on Monday, after the electric company accidentally struck the line. This only occurred after the end of the school day and did not affect instruction hours, but there was no gas going to the buildings as of Tuesday. Foley said that the district is hoping to turn gas back on at the schools in time for the start of class on Wednesday, May 8.

“It’s safe to be in there,” Foley said. “We’re just not turning the gas on until everyone’s gone for the day.”