Water main break disrupts life in Montgomery County
0 Comments | Capital, Jun 17, 2008
ROCKVILLE (AP) – Montgomery County has ordered some 1,200 restaurants to close after a weekend water main break, fearing the water could be contaminated.
Patrick Lacefield, a spokesman for the county, said last night that the order to close food service facilities outside the Beltway came in consultation with the state Department of Health. The only exception was food sold in original, sealed packages and fresh fruits and vegetables not washed or misted at the food service facilities.
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission also issued a boil water advisory for all Montgomery customers north of the Capital Beltway. The advisory is expected to last for at least three days as water pressure is restored and water quality is tested.
He said although the broken main had been repaired, the closures were ordered by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett because of “overriding health concerns.”
A break in a 48-inch water main cut off water service to a large area of northern Montgomery County yesterday, closing county buildings and forcing residents to take emergency conservation efforts such as halting dishwashers and washing machines in their homes.
Jim Nuestadt, a spokesman for the WSSC, said a large number of people were affected, but he didn’t have a specific number.
Several county buildings in places such as Wheaton, Gaithersburg and Germantown closed because of a lack of water and the county’s recreation department shut all camps yesterday. The county school system said some buildings with little or no water pressure were also closing.
The WSSC said the restrictions prohibit outside watering, filling swimming pools or running washing machines and dishwashers across the affected area
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