Belmont Under Boil Water Advisory

Belmont and neighboring towns are under a boil water order issued at 4 p.m., May 1, by the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority after a major water pipe broke in Weston. 

The order will continue until further notice.

At about 8:30 p.m., Ria Convery, MWRA's Communications Director, said the MWRA was able to stop the leak.

Even with the leak stopped, it will be some time before the boil water order is lifted, according to the authority.

"Best case scenario, a couple days," Convery said.

In addition to the boil water order, emergency water conservation measures are being implemented for all impacted communities.

Ria Convery, MWRA's Communications Director, said all communities in their system have been asked to conserve water. 

The MWRA is activating its emergency water supplies including Spot Pond in Arlington, the Sudbury Aqueduct and Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The water is not suitable for drinking, but can be used for bathing, flushing and fire protection.
 
The leak is located at the location where the MetroWest Water Supply Tunnel meets the City Tunnel on Recreation Road. The 120-inch diameter pipe transports water to our communities east of Weston – as far north as Wilmington and south to Stoughton. Water is leaking into the Charles River at rate of more than 8 million gallons an hour. MWRA crews are on site; engineers are assessing the situation to determine next steps. 

Updates will be posted on Mass.gov and MWRA's website at www.mwra.com throughout the event.

For more information about Boil Water Orders from the Massachusetts Dept. of Evironmental Protection (DEP) visit its website.