Why would the 2" (or so) water main supply to my and my neighbours houses suddenly start to leak? - well enough for it to be obvious on the surface.
The pipe is in the ground under the side of the road (lane), about 2 foot deep. The failure was not near a joint and has been repaired with some sort of sleeve. Possibly put on by lifting one end of the pipe.
I would think that it is a steel pipe.