Boil water notice issued after water main break

A damaged water main near Wilson Street has resulted in a boil water notice for some borough residents.

POTTSTOWN >> The accidental damage of a water main near Wilson Street has resulted in a boil water notice for some borough residents.

A 10-inch water main was hit by the Borough Authority’s contractor Wednesday.

The pipe was badly damaged and a section of pipe will need to be replaced. This has required the borough to shut down the water main, terminating water service to the customers in the affected area.

The affected area is: From Wilson Street’s intersection with Evans Street to the intersection with Hale Street; and on Hale Street, from the intersection with Wilson Street to the intersection with Kenneth Street.

The repair work could cause the loss of disinfection and pressure in this area of the distribution system. A drop or loss in water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system.

As a result, there is an increased chance that the water may contain diseasecausing organisms.

Residents who know they did not experience a disruption of water service need take no action and may continue to use their water as normal.

Anyone who experienced a disruption of water service, or is not sure if their water service was disrupted, as a precaution, should not drink their water without boiling it first.

Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.

Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may be in the water. Inadequately treated water may contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.

These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other factors.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms may want to seek medical advice.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk.

The main water pipe is in the process of replacing the section of damaged water pipe. Work will continue until the water main has been repaired and water service can be restored.

It is anticipated the problem will be resolved by the end of the day on Wednesday, officials said.

The borough will alert residents when they no longer need to boil their water.

For more information, contact the Pottstown Public Works Department at 610-970-6527.