A boil water advisory has been issued for a group of households in the west end of Saint John due to a sinkhole on their street.
A six-inch water main burst beneath Rodney Street around 5:30 a.m. Thursday. The flow of water weakened part of the street, causing the sinkhole and resulting in a disruption to water service to some residents in the area.
One vehicle became stuck in the hole Thursday morning and had to be towed out. A section of the street has since been closed to traffic and crews are working to repair the break.
According to a news release from the city, the boil order is in effect for residents living at civic numbers 229 to 263 on Rodney Street.
Those residents are being advised to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, juice, coffee or tea, and washing fruits and vegetables, until further notice.
According to the news release, residents can bathe and shower in the water without boiling it first. The city says it also safe to use a dishwasher and to wash dishes in hot soapy water.
Water service is expected to be restored Thursday afternoon. Residents will be advised once the advisory is lifted.
City officials say the pipe that burst is cast-iron and about 100 years old. The infrastructure under Rodney Street is scheduled to be replaced this summer as part of the city’s capital improvement program.