Monday, Nov. 09, 2009

Boil water advisory still in effect near Forest Drive water main break

Residents and businesses affected by the water main break on the 2500 block of Forest Drive over the weekend will have to boil their water until at least tomorrow morning, Columbia Utilities Director John Dooley said.

City officials drew a water sample this morning to test, but the test takes 24 hours, Dooley said.

The boil water advisory affects customers on Forest Drive between McDuffie Avenue and Harrison Road; and Glenwood Road from Forest Drive to Trenholm Road. But the boil water advisory applies to anyone who either lost their water service or water pressure.

City officials advise customers to boil their water for one minute before drinking or cooking with it.

Currently, the 2500 block of Forest Drive is still closed to traffic. City officials are meeting with state Department of Transportation officials this morning to discuss how to handle the weekday traffic. On Sunday, officials used Pinehurst and Manning streets to divert traffic.

When the 18-inch water main broke Sunday, it flooded the road and lifted up a large portion of the asphalt. It’s unclear how long it will take to repair the road.

"I expect it will be a couple hundred feet of roadway we’ll have to tear out," Dooley said.

— Adam Beam

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