LEWISTON — Much of Lewiston remained under a boil water advisory Sunday after a major water main break on Orange Street caused flooding and disrupted service across the city.
Lewiston Public Works crews worked to restore a water main that burst early Sunday morning, prompting a boil water notice affecting many people throughout the city. The Lewiston Public Works Department said the break happened on Orange Street from Webster Street to Sabattus Street.
“It’s a 12-foot line and there was quite a lot of water lost from that break,” said Erica Kidd, a spokesperson for the city’s public works department.
Water main break in Lewiston floods homes (WGME)
The break sent water flooding down Orange Street and onto Diamond Court, where some neighbors woke up to flooded basements. Jeremiah Gendreau, a resident on Orange Street, said he saw the damage as it unfolded.
“I looked out my window and saw there was a big ole hole, and then I ooked a little bit further and saw dirt and water going all over,” Gendreau said.
Gendreau said water rushed down Orange Street, onto Diamond Court and into his basement.
Lewiston Water Main Break boil water order
“My driveway has still got some flood, and my basement is all flooded so, you know, it will be a fun little adventure to clean up,” he said.
After crews isolated the break, the city issued a 24-hour boil water order for most parts of Lewiston, Kidd said. The Lewiston Water Division instructed residents to boil all water for one minute at a rolling boil before drinking, making ice cubes, washing food, brushing teeth, or any other activity that may result in consuming water.
“That will be in effect until we are able to repair this break, properly flush and disinfect the lines, take our required number of bacteria samples and when those results come back negative the water will be appropriate to use again,” Kidd said.
P- LEWISTON WATER MAIN BREAK,xcode mix,11_frame_4193.jpeg
City officials expected repairs to the water line to take up to 12 hours.
Lewiston Public Schools canceled classes for Monday because of the water main break. Officials posted the announcement on Facebook, saying the district will need to flush out the water system once the boil order is lifted and will provide updates when more information is available.