BRISTOL — Water service in Bristol will be interrupted today, Jan. 23, for a few dozen properties in and around Mountain Street Extension as the water department investigates and repairs a water line break in nearby woods.
“The repair effort is underway,” the town reported on Facebook around 9 o’clock this morning. “Water service will not be affected until the leak has been fully located, cleared and the replacement parts are ready to be installed.”
The water department will do everything possible to minimize the disruption, officials said. However, affected residents are encouraged to store extra water as needed for the kitchen or other areas.
Town officials left doorknob notices at the roughly 30 properties that might be affected in the area, said town administrator Valerie Capels.
Bristol Elementary School, which is at the other end of Mountain Street, does not expect to see any service interruptions, Capels added.
Public works foreman Eric Cota discovered the leakage on Sunday and reported it to Cyrus Marsano of Vermont Utility Management Systems (VUMS), Bristol’s contracted water operator. Marsano confirmed Monday morning that it was water line break.
The leak had been flowing downhill out of the woods into the yard of a local property owner, who estimated that it had begun months ago.
VUMS waited until today to tackle the issue because warmer temperatures will reduce the possibility that water lines will freeze during the repairs, Capels explained.
After service is restored, the water department recommends that affected property owners run their taps to clear the lines of any sediment.
For questions or concerns, call the Bristol town offices at 453-2410.
Reach Christopher Ross at [email protected].