The city of Montreal has lifted a boil-water advisory in effect for parts of eastern Montreal since Friday morning after a major water main burst, flooding streets, homes and businesses near the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
The preventative advisory affected about 150,000 residents in the eastern half of the island of Montreal south of Sherbrooke Street, including Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montréal-Est.
The break in the water main on Friday created a massive geyser on René-Lévesque Boulevard, east of de Lorimier Avenue, just before 6 a.m.
The water rushed into nearby streets, flooding around 50 residences and 20 businesses, according to the city. The break was under control by the early afternoon.
Major arteries closed due to the flooding were reopened later in the day, but a section of René-Lévesque near de Lorimier remains closed to traffic. Work to repair the pipe and the road is continuing Sunday.
The city of Montreal said people can drink their tap water again after tests show the situation is back to normal in the area located south of Sherbrooke Street, between Alphonse D-Roy on the west side and Pointe de l’Île on the east side.
There are still some precautions to take before water is safe for consumption and use:
- Turn on cold water taps and let the water run for a few minutes prior to consumption.
- The same is necessary with all outdoor taps, hoses and drinking fountains.
- Empty, wash and disinfect coffee machines and ice-making machines.
- Change the filters if you have a water treatment or filtration system (pitcher, faucet filter or under-sink filter, refrigerator water dispenser, etc.)