A water main break this week caused disruptions in service and low water pressure for about 1,600 customers of Indiana American Water, according to a company spokesperson.
A 12-inch water main on National Road West near Salisbury Road ruptured around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14. A boil advisory was issued for households and businesses in the area as crews worked on repairs. The repairs were completed and the boil advisory lifted around 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 15.
Some Facebook users spread inaccurate information about the location and nature of the incident, causing some residents to think the water boil advisory was countywide. At least one downtown Richmond restaurant stopped serving fountain beverages, with signs citing a boil advisory, even though it was not located in the advisory area. Other Facebook users expressed confusion that they were not notified of the advisory.
Indiana American Water external affairs manager Joel Reuter told WWN the company believes the proper notifications were sent out to affected residents who were signed up to receive them as soon as the nature of the situation was determined by crews at the site.
Reuter said there are several ways for residents to stay informed about incidents affecting their water service. Customers with an account number and Internet access can use the amwater.com website to sign up for email, text or voice alerts. Non-customers can still use the web tool at amwater.com/inaw/alerts to view a map or listing of advisories. And in the case of a larger scale emergency, Reuter said that company officials would work with emergency management officials and local media to distribute timely information.