A water main break on Main Street South hindered the town’s main artery for most of Friday, as crews worked to fix the issue, causing some nearby schools and businesses to close early for the week.
As of Friday afternoon, public safety officials and utility crews are on site at approximately 180 Main Street South, where the water main break occurred around 10:45 a.m.
In a notice sent by the Housatonic Valley Health District just before 3:00 p.m. to affected food establishments, it was relayed that water would be shut off on Main Street South for emergency repairs.
The water supply along Main Street South — from Poverty Road to Route 172 — will be turned off for the duration of the repair, which could take up to a few hours. If a business does not have running water during this time, they are required to close the establishment until water is restored.
As a result of the water main break, all students from Gainfield Elementary, Pomperaug Elementary, and Rochambeau Middle School were dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. All after-school activities were subsequently canceled.
Nearby restaurants will be affected while the water is turned off for the emergency repair, town officials told The Record.
Steve Schnell, the town’s Emergency Management Director, was at the scene on Friday afternoon with First Selectman Jeff Manville and Fire Marshal Derrek Guertin, surveying the road and overseeing the repairs.
Schnell says the area just in front of Lake Wine and Spirits will remain an active construction scene through Friday afternoon.
Manville said it would be advisable to use the highway (I-84) instead of Main Street South during the duration of repairs.
Members of the Southbury Police Department are still directing traffic at the three-way intersection, as water flows along the edges of the road.
Update: Water service was restored later Friday night.
The Southbury Record 