City of Akron issues boil water advisory for Highland Square area on Friday

The city of Akron’s Water Supply Bureau has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for about 1,000 addresses in the Highland Square area.

Multiple water breaks occurred on Morningside Drive and Delia Avenue the morning of July 4, causing some Akron water customers to experience reduced water pressure, according to a news release from the city.

The city is advising customers in the area, shown in a map provided by the city, to boil their water until further notice. Customers should boil any water used for drinking or cooking for a minimum of three minutes, then wait for the water to cool to the desired temperature before they use it.

City officials expect repairs to be completed and for water supply and pressure to be fully restored in the afternoon of July 4. However, the release said the advisory will remain in effect until further notice, which will be for a minimum of 18 to 24 hours after crews make the repairs and restore normal water pressures.

Affected customers include Blair House, Carlton House, Portage Country Club and others in the Highland Square area. The area includes parts of North and South Portage Path and West Market and West Exchange streets.

Customers may experience a temporary increase in lead levels in drinking water and/or discolored water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also makes the following recommendations to reduce lead exposure:

• If you have not used water for several hours, run the tap until the water temperature noticeably drops. Next, run the water for 30 seconds to three minutes before drinking or cooking with it.
• Use cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula. Boiling the water will not reduce lead.
• Regularly clean your faucet aerator.

Additional resources, per the release, are drinktap.org and epa.gov/safewater/lead.

For updates, customers can contact the Akron 24/7 Water Distribution Dispatch at 330-375-2420.