Boil advisory issued for town of Pamelia

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012

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The state Department of Health has issued a boil advisory for residents in the town of Pamelia stemming from three water breaks that occurred Monday night and this morning on Route 37 south of the Route 341 intersection. Due to possible contamination, residents should boil all water used for drinking and cooking until the advisory is lifted.

The advisory will likely be lifted tomorrow by the department, which will test the water for contamination after the system is repaired.

About 50 residents lost service a result from the water main break, which happened at about 9 p.m. Monday night. Workers from P&T Water Supply& Services, Watertown, are expected to repair the line to restore service by this afternoon, said Dennis G. Hoiston, Pamelia highway superintendent.

Resident Rusty VanTassel reported the break at about 9 p.m. , which occurred across from his house at 25535 Route 37. Officials later found another break in the line about a half mile south that was likely caused by the first, located across from Willowbrook Golf Club. A third break was reported at 4 a.m. this morning, located about a half mile south of the second.

Officials are now filling the town’s water tower to ensure no additional residents lose service today, Mr. Hoiston said.

“We’re going to put a temporary repair on the first break so we can fill the tower,” he said. “Two crews will be working on the breaks, and we hope to have them all permanently fixed by mid-afternoon.”

The breaks in the line were unusual, Mr. Hoiston said, because the system is only 12 years old. The pipes were corroded at the site of the first break. The additional breaks were likely caused by water pressure in the line from the first.

“If the valves are turned off too fast, the water doesn’t have any place to go and builds up pressure,” he said. “It probably created a water hammer and popped the joints apart.”

Residents with questions may call the town office at (315) 785-9793.