UPDATED: Boil advisory for Avon lifted following weekend water main break

The break was located early Sunday along N.C. 12 between Buxton and Avon. [Dare County Water Department photo]

By Joy Crist, IslandFreePress.org

UPDATED, Monday 2 p.m.: The boil advisory for Avon customers of the Dare County Water System has been lifted, following testing that showed water is safe for drinking, following a water main break over the weekend.

EARLIER STORY, Sunday 2 p.m.:
The water line break in between Avon and Buxton has been fixed and water will be restored by 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, however, a Boil Water Advisory is in effect for the village of Avon, and it may take up to 24 hours for the water pressure to return to full force, per a recent update from the Dare County Water Department.

All Avon residents and visitors are advised to boil water before consumption until the bacteriological test is completed to confirm the water is safe following the repairs. “Anytime you open up a drinking water system, it allows for possible contaminants such as dirt or sand, so the state requires those systems be tested [after a repair],” said William Nash of the Dare County Water Department.

The Boil Water Advisory is expected to be in place until Monday, or an estimated 24 hours. Avon residents should boil all water used for human consumption, (including drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and making ice) for one minute to kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.

Samples will be collected throughout the affected area to confirm the microbiological quality as soon as pressure is restored. The System Pressure Advisory will be lifted on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 3 pm. If there is a problem customers will be notified of a continued advisory. Customers may experience periods of low pressure and discolored water until full service is restored.

15-to-20 feet of pipe was split by the break. [Dare County Water Department photo]
The break occurred at roughly 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, and roughly 1,000 yards south of where a similar break occurred on June 3. Dare County Water Department personnel began working at the site at 2:00 a.m. to repair a split at the top of the pipe, which extended for an estimated 15 to 20 feet.

All Avon residents and visitors are advised to conserve water on Sunday to allow for the water pressure to return to normal quickly once the repairs have been completed. Avon residents will have low water pressure for about 10-12 hours, and water flow will return to normal within 24 hours.

EARLIER STORY, Sunday 10 a.m.
Avon will likely run out of water on Sunday, June 13, due to a water line break that has occurred in between Avon and Buxton, roughly 1,000 yards south of where a previous break occurred on June 3.

The break occurred at roughly 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, and Dare County Water Department crews have been at the site since 2:00 a.m. to repair the water line.

The repairs are estimated to be completed by early Sunday afternoon, however, Avon residents will likely lose water altogether sometime on Sunday, as there is only four feet of water remaining in the Avon water tower.

Once the repairs are completed, Avon residents will have low water pressure for about 10-12 hours, and water flow will return to normal within 24 hours.

A Boil Water Advisory will be in effect once the repairs are completed for roughly 24 hours as a precaution until tests can be conducted to confirm the water is safe. “Anytime you open up a drinking water system, it allows for possible contaminants such as dirt or sand, so the state requires those systems be tested [after a repair],” said William Nash of the Dare County Water Department.

All Avon residents and visitors are advised to conserve water on Sunday to allow for water use as long as possible, and to allow for the water pressure to return to normal quickly once the repairs have been completed. The Island Free Press will post updates as soon as they are available.

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