Water Service Resumes After Mpls. Water Main Break

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Water service will be restored for all customers who were affected by Thursday's water main break in Minneapolis.

The water main broke Thursday afternoon, leaving six surrounding buildings without water. The water should be restored around 10 p.m. Sunday.

Officials say repairs to the broken water transmission line are ongoing, however, a backup service is being put in place for those without water.

The water is available for household tasks but will need further testing to ensure it's drinkable. For now, residents are advised to boil the water before cooking with it or drinking it.

City staff will notify residents in the affected buildings once the water has been properly tested and is safe to drink.

This does not affect those with water issues on Thursday, who have since had water restored -- including all but three blocks of 2nd Street North and every bar and restaurant in the area. The buildings that will be placed on this temporary water service are on 2nd Street North, between 3rd Street North and Hennepin Avenue.

Approximately 14 million gallons of water flowed out of the system following the Thursday afternoon break in a water transmission line at a construction site.

The city has reopened most streets affected by the water main break by removing water and ice and making sure the streets weren't damaged by the excess water.

While northbound Hennepin Avenue is open to traffic, two blocks of southbound Hennepin Avenue are closed, from 1st Street to Washington Avenue. A block of 2nd Street North is also closed, from Hennepin Avenue to 1st Avenue North.