Boil Water Advisory In Newport Following Water Main Break

NEWPORT, RI — A boil water advisory is in place in parts of Newport and Middletown following a major water main break Wednesday morning. The city hopes to resolve the break within a day.

The break happened just before 11 a.m. at Gould and Warner Streets, causing low pressure throughout the low pressure system. The "significant" break impacted a large portion of the city, Newport officials said.

As a precaution, Newport Water Division customers in the Low Pressure Zone are asked to boil tap water before use or seek alternate water supplies. This includes much of the city and the Easton's Beach area of Middletown. Residents can see if the advisory applies to them using this map.

The Rhode Island Department of Health recommended "vigorously" boiling water for at least one minute to kill any bacteria or other organisms in the water. The low pressure in the system can increase the potential for contamination in the water, the department said. While the advisory is in place, it's ok to shower, though residents should be careful to avoid swallowing it. Infants and small children should not be bathed in the water, since they could accidentally swallow it and are more at risk of serious illness.

Drinking contaminated water can cause illness such as gastrointestinal issues, cramps, nausea or headaches. Residents should call their doctor if they develop a fever over 101.5 degrees, have blood in their stool, prolonged vomiting that leads to dehydration or diarrhea that lasts more than several days.

Crews are working to repairing the main break and the company is taking water samples and increasing disinfection. The city will announce when the boil water advisory is lifted, though it must stay in place until all these efforts are complete. Water samples are expected to be analyzed within 48 hours, the city said.

More information is available on the city's website.