Pottstown water main break causes boil water advisory

POTTSTOWN — A water main break at the intersection of King Street and Route 100 Sunday morning shut off water to the western part of the borough and resulted in a boil water advisory. water around 2:30 p.m.

The leak, discovered earlier in the morning, forced the borough’s water distribution division to shut off the water main on West King Street, between Berks and Manatawny streets. This necessitated the cessation of service, according to the alert issued by the borough’s emergency alert system.

The yellow coloring represents the area affected by the district’s boil water advisory. (Image via Pottstown Borough)

Shortly after the notice was issued, the water utility team repaired the leak using a hose clamp. But before they could close the hole, they had to wait for the borough to officially declare it safe to do so and turn the water back on.

Borough employees were relieved to find that the leaking water line was the six-inch line that supplies Shoemaker Road and beyond, not the 12-inch line that sits next to it, under the King Street. (Evan Brandt – MediaNews Group)

In the meantime, a boil water advisory is issued for customers on West King Street, Manatawny Street to Berks Street, West Chestnut Street, West Walnut Street, West Beech Street , Potts Court, Gable Avenue and Shoemaker Road, from West King Street to Route 100.

As a precaution, these customers are advised not to drink the water without first boiling it.

Repairing the broken water main required the closure of westbound King Street, just at the intersection with Route 100. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)

“Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for a 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 preparing food until further notice,” according to the district’s notice.

The water main break area is in the same location where PECO demolished the paving on King Street for gas line work. This sidewalk was laid about six years ago. It is not yet clear whether the construction of the PECO has anything to do with the leak.