Boil Water Order Issued Due to Water Main Rupture

A "boil water" order has been issued throughout all of Middletown and Newport Water customers are asked to limit all water usage to a minimum.

The Middletown Emergency Action Team issued the order Saturday morning following an overnight rupture of a water main on West Main Road in Portsmouth that serves all of Aquidneck Island.

Workers at the scene late Saturday morning said they hoped to have the main repaired within a few hours, but there was no word yet on how long the "boil water" and limited use advisory would remain in effect.

Middletown's EMA Chief Ronald Doire activated the town's CodeRED automated messaging system Saturday morning around 8:30 am to notify town residents of the water advisory. He asked that customers keep water usage to an essential minimum to reduce the strain on the island's water system while Newport Water worked to repair the broken water line.

Also, West Main Road near the main will remain closed while repairs are underway, officials said.

The major water main line broke around 11:30 pm Friday night on West Main Road, Route 114, near the Valley Inn Restaurant and the Lawton Valley Reservoir in the southern section of town. The supply line serves Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport, according to Jeff Sullivan, heavy equipment operator for Newport Water.

The break reportedly occurred on a 24-inch transition line that feeds water from the Laurent Valley Reservoir to the water plant at 2154 West Main Road, and all adjoining side streets.

Sullivan said he was unsure about how many homes would be affected, but that it could be residences in all three communities.

According to Sullivan, crews would be working throughout the night to repair the water main and fix the road. Residents on Aquidneck Island would not be without water Saturday morning, he said.

"We'll get them water," Sullivan said. "There might be some discoloration."