Boil water notice issued after Pottstown water main break

by evan brandt

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

The leak, discovered earlier in the morning, required the borough’s water distribution division to shut down the water main on West King Street between Berks Street and Manatawny Street. This required the termination of service, according to the alert issued through the borough’s emergency alert system.

The yellow coloring shows area affected by the borough's boil water notice. (Image via Pottstown Borough) — The yellow coloring shows the area affected by the borough’s boil water notice. (Image via Pottstown Borough)

It was not long after the advisory was issued that the crew from the water distribution division had repaired the leak with a clamp. But before they could close the hole back up, they had to wait for official word from the borough that it was safe to do so and to turn the water back on.

Borough workers were relieved to find the leaking water main was the six-inch line that feeds Shoemaker Road and beyond and not the 12-inch main that sits right next to it beneath King Street. (Evan Brandt -- MediaNews Group) — Borough workers were relieved to find the leaking water main was the six-inch line that feeds Shoemaker Road and beyond and not the 12-inch main that sits right next to it beneath King Street. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)

In the meantime, a boil water notice is issued for customers on West King Street, from 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, those customers are advised not to drink the water without boiling it first.

Repairing the water main break required the close of West-Bound King Street, right at the intersection with Route 100. (Evan Brandt -- MediaNews Group) — Repairing the water main break required the close of West-Bound King Street, right at the intersection with Route 100. (Evan Brandt — MediaNews Group)

“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,” according to the borough notice.

The area of the water main break is in the same location where PECO has been tearing up the paving on King Street for gas line work. That pavement was laid down about six years ago. It is not yet clear if the PECO construction had anything to do with the leak.

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