Columbia Water and Light reports five water main breaks

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Water and Light reported five water main breaks Wednesday morning between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Officials report the break on the Business Loop has been repaired.

The four other breaks are expected to be repaired between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Matt Nestor, community relations specialist for City of Columbia Utilities, says the water main breaks are unrelated and the only factor that ties them all together is that they are older valves and iron pipes. 

Nestor says boil advisories were issued as a precaution.

"When there is a water main break that causes pressure to drop, there is a chance for backflow, which can siphon contaminants into the water main. So we require customers to boil their water before as a safety precaution. We get our tests back in 24 to 30 hours, at which time we will lift the advisory," Nestor said.

One of the breaks is near Russell Boulevard Elementary. Officials with the district say the school is under a boil advisory.

Aurora Meyer, a communications manager with Columbia Public Schools, says the school has plenty of bottled water for drinking and hand washing.