Aug. 27, 2012 -- A boil water advisory was issued Monday by the Westchester County Department of Health for southwest Yonkers and will remain in effect until further notice. From 50,000 to 70,000 people are in the affected area.
Residents and businesses in the area south of Ashburton Avenue to the New York City line between the Hudson River and the Saw Mill River Parkway are strongly advised to boil their water before drinking it or using it to prepare food, as a precaution, due to a major water main break in Yonkers this afternoon.
A boil water advisory means that residents in the affected area are strongly advised to boil all tap water at a rolling boil for a minimum of one minute prior to drinking it or using it to prepare food, wash dishes by hand or brush teeth. The advisory does not extend to bathing, washing clothes or using a dishwasher.
Restaurants, delis, bodegas and all food service establishments in the affected area must boil water before serving it or using it to prepare food.
The boil water advisory is being issued as a precaution to protect from potential contamination caused by ground water infiltration into water mains as a result of the reduction in water main pressure caused by the break.
The break occurred when a state contractor working on the Saw Mill River Parkway accidentally broke through a 30-inch City of Yonkers water main that runs under the Saw Mill River Parkway near the McLean Avenue exit in Yonkers.
Updates on the repairs will be provided by the City of Yonkers as they become available.