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Melbourne city officials said a "serious" break in a city water main Wednesday night was caused when a piece of construction equipment snagged on a smaller service line connected to the main.

City spokeswoman Cheryl Mall said a contractor was drilling a hole for a new line about 7 p.m. on Riverside Drive in Indialantic when the drill bit snagged on a 6-inch service line emerging from the water main.

"The 6-inch line popped the main," she said, creating a drop in pressure that compromised the water supply to nearby businesses and homes.
About 1,200 customers, or about 4,000 residents, remained under a precautionary boil water notice Friday, including:

Indialantic customers who live south of Fifth Avenue/U.S. 192.

All customers in Melbourne Beach.

All customers in unincorporated Brevard County south of Melbourne Beach.

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"If the pressure goes below 20 PSI, that's when we have to issue a (notice) because that's when the danger of contamination occurs," Mall said.

The main was repaired and reconnected Friday morning, Mall said. The city was awaiting the results of water quality tests on the affected area before giving the all-clear.
Mall said the results are expected Saturday.

"If they come back negative, that means there's been no contamination and there's nothing more you have to do," she said.

The City of Melbourne will advise residents when the notice has been lifted through its website, social media platforms and its "Code Red" alert system.

In the meantime, the city advises affected residents to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.

To sign up for the city's alerts, go to www.melbourneflorida.org and look for "Code Red."

Contact Rogers at 321-242-3717