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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The boil water notice that has been in effect since Wednesday’s water main break in Keene has been lifted.
In an update on Friday the city said that preliminary water quality testing came back clean with no presence of harmful bacteria, but the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Service requires a second round of testing to confirm, and each test takes about 24 hours.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday the city issued a news release saying that the state has confirmed that no bacteria was found in the water in the second round of testing, and the boil water notice was lifted.
Public Works Director Don Lussier called into WKBK’s Open Mic program on Friday and said that there was no actual data on whether or not there was bacteria in the water, but the boil water notice was put in place as a precaution while the testing was conducted. Area stores were selling out of gallons and bottled water, and the city partnered with C & S Wholesale Grocers on Friday to give out one free case of water to Keene residents at the Public Works Department.
The advisory was issued after a water main ruptured near the intersection of Water and Grove Streets Wednesday evening, leading to a significant drop in pressure across the city and extending into North Swanzey.
According to Lussier, the broken line is one of the city’s most critical—known as the “cross-town main”—and connects the Beech Hill and Roxbury Road water tanks to West Keene. Crews were able to isolate the break and restore water service to most customers within 45 minutes of the incident, though about 40 homes were left without water until the following afternoon. Lussier said that when there’s a leak there is no pressure on the pipeline to filter out bacteria, triggering concerns about the water quality.
“This was one of the largest breaks we’ve seen,” Lussier said. “It caused more widespread impact than usual, both in terms of water loss and the need for precautionary measures.”
Lussier also noted that this was the third significant failure in the same area within the last 20 years, suggesting deeper issues with the nearly 70-year-old infrastructure.
The roadway has since reopened but Lussier says the city will need to hire a paving company to repair the surface as the scale of the project would be outside of the city’s scope.
Anyone with further questions regarding the incident can contact the Public Works Department. Questions can be submitted online at Contact Keene – City of Keene, on SeeClickFix, or by phone at 603-352-6550.
See My Keene Now’s previous reporting on the issue:
Major water main break in Keene disrupts citywide water pressure
Boil water notice to remain in effect, repairs completed in Keene water main break
UPDATED: Extended hours for bottled water distribution in Keene as boil order remains in effect
Keene Public Works Director discusses major water main break on local radio show
Preliminary water tests clear but Keene boil order remains pending final results