New London ― A broken, temporary sewer line on Pequot Avenue that led to sewage backups at several nearby residences this week has been replaced with a more robust pipe ahead of a more permanent fix, city officials said on Friday.

City Water & Pollution Control Authority members discovered an initial problem with the force main several weeks ago. Two more breaks were later found that required the installation of a bypass pipe, Public Utilities Director Joseph Lanzafame said.

That temporary pipe became overwhelmed by heavy rains and increased use of sump pumps on Tuesday and Wednesday, Lazafame said. The city received an estimated 3 inches of rain this week.

“We’re estimating that pipe was receiving about five times the amount of flow we typically get,” he said. “In the two weeks previous to the rain, that bypass was working flawlessly.”

The overwhelmed pipe sent sewage into 10 residences – including five beach bathroom structures – located on Pequot and Mott avenues and Lower Boulevard. Sewer overflow was also reported in the Neptune Avenue area.

A hardier, full bypass pipe was in place as of 9 p.m. Thursday in anticipation of a new permanent pipe being installed by April.

Lazafame said city utility crews had a busy last few days between dealing with problems caused by the storm and the damaged pipe.

“Within 48 hours, there were able to come up with a plan, procure 3,500 linear feet of pipe and got that up and running,” he said. “We’ll continuously monitor the bypass pipe and protect it from freezing. But there is a long lead time for getting the materials to fix that main line.”

Lazafame said it was “atypical” for the 30-year force main to have failed so soon after its installation.

j.penney@theday.com