This story was originally published at 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 19; it was updated at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, July 20.
A second water main break overnight has expanded Newport’s boil water advisory to a second area near Valley Road, state health officials announced Monday, while repairs to Sunday’s original break on West Main Road were still underway.
The Rhode Island Department of Health issued the original precautionary boil water advisory Sunday after a 24-inch main broke under West Main Road near the Home Depot shopping center, affecting approximately 2,000 customers between Chase Road and Forest Avenue. A second break occurred overnight while the first was being repaired, causing another loss of water pressure near Valley Road and adding 136 service connections to the advisory.
All affected customers should boil water vigorously for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or food preparation. Bottled water may be used as an alternative. Infants and young children should not be bathed in the water as they may accidentally swallow it.
Affected customers are being contacted directly by Newport Water. An updated map of both affected areas is posted at utilities.newportri.gov.
The advisory will remain in effect until Newport Water repairs both breaks, raises chlorine levels within safe limits, flushes the pipes, and collects one day of clean bacteria samples. An announcement will be made when the advisory is lifted.
Customers with questions can call Newport Water at 401-845-5600.
