Brockton Water Back On, But Boil Order Remains
BROCKTON, Mass. (CBS/AP) — Water is flowing again but a boil order remains in effect after a massive water main break left Brockton and neighboring Whitman without water.
Officials said a century-old, 24-inch water main running to Brockton from Silver Lake broke in East Bridgewater around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Crews worked overnight to make repairs, but the boil order remains in effect Thursday so state environmental officials can test the water to make sure it is safe for human consumption.
Read: Boil Water Order Info
Brockton schools were dismissed early Wednesday but Mayor Bill Carpenter tweeted that city schools are open as normal on Thursday.
The mayor says things are getting better.
"We have to have a series of three consecutive tests with acceptable levels over a 24-hour period," he told WBZ. "If everything goes perfectly, hopefully by the end of the day Friday we'll be able to get that boiled water ban lifted."
A state of emergency was declared in Brockton and nearly 67,000 bottles of water were distributed to residents.
Some businesses closed and some hospitals rescheduled elective procedures on Wednesday.
Flushing out hydrants in Brockton @MayorBillCarp says he hopes to lift state of emergency in 24-48 hrs pic.twitter.com/66Ac9dtSsd
— Susie Steimle (@SusieSteimle) May 28, 2015
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports:
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)