A broken pressure-reducing valve will leave some Bismarck residents with less water pressure this weekend.

Keith Demke, director of Public Works for the city, said the problem will reduce water pressure for houses from 19th Street to 23rd Street between Divide Avenue and Grant Avenue.

"It's probably eight to 10 square blocks,"said Demke, who lives in that area.

He said water pressure will be reduced by about 25 psi. He said houses will still have the minimum necessary pressure, but showers may have less pressure, and tubs and toilets will take longer to fill.

"It's an inconvenience, but it's not a major inconvenience, I don't think," Demke said. "I think it's a workable situation. I hope people aren't too inconvenienced by it."

He said the city hopes to get a crew working on the problem, likely a leak in the water line, on Monday, unless there's a break somewhere else leaving people without water. He said they didn't want to work on it in the cold on Friday, because they were afraid to cause more problems to the line.

Anyone with questions should call Public Works at 355-1700.

- Jenny Michael