Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include updates about the water main break and water boil order.
ADAMS — A water main break on East Hoosac Street prompted a boil water order Sunday afternoon and left residents in parts of Adams without water.
The break occurred on East Hoosac Street, according to Adams police. As of 9:10 a.m., that street was closed to allow crews to repair the break.
Town officials urged residents at about 1 p.m. not to drink tap water because a required water quality test had not yet been completed. A boil water order was issued for multiple streets at about 2 p.m. During the order, the town provided bottled water to impacted residents and established a water distribution center at the Adams Visitor Center from 4 to 7 p.m.
“This distribution is limited to drinking water only,” reads a statement from the town. “For other uses, residents may continue to use their own water for cooking or boiling as needed until water service is fully restored and the Boil Water Order is lifted.”
Residents were told not to drink tap water without boiling it because the drop in water pressure may have created backflow that could result in bacterial contamination. The town clarified that no bacteria samples have been found and that the order was issued as a precaution.
Residents were also instructed to discard all ice, beverages, uncooked foods and formula made with tap water collected on Saturday.
At about 1 p.m., town officials said crews had identified and isolated the section of pipe where the break occurred, allowing the town to slowly bring the water system back online and repressurize the distribution system. The town said the break caused its tank that feeds into the East Road pump station to drain, resulting in insufficient water pressure.
Officials said residents might notice increased water pressure throughout Sunday as the system continued to repressurize.
“This process must be conducted gradually to safely rebuild pressure within the system and minimize the risk of additional impacts,” a statement from the town reads.
The Adams Fire District said Morningside Avenue, Upper East Hoosac, Dubis, Meadow and Autumn streets, County and East roads, and Burns and Fryc Lanes were without water as a result of the break. Meadow and Dubis streets were expected to be without water the longest. The town said that “if no additional substantial issues are identified,” water service was expected to be restored by nightfall.
“Please prepare to be without water for an extended period of time,” a statement from the Fire District reads. “We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The break followed overnight freezing temperatures and occurred shortly before a cold weather advisory from the National Weather Service expired at 10 a.m.
Mitchell Chapman is The Eagle’s night news editor.