Eastern Montreal boil-water advisory expected to last through the weekend after water main break

Things are returning to normal after amajor water main break flooded parts of south-central Montreal near the Jacques-Cartier Bridge on Friday morning.

But those whose homes and businesses were floodedare now dealingwith the damage and a boil-water advisory is expected to continue into the weekend.

The break in the water main created a massive geyser on Ren-Lvesque Boulevard,east of de Lorimier Avenue, just before 6 a.m.

The waterrushed into nearby streets, flooding around 50 residences and 20 businesses, according to the city.

Major arterieslike Notre-Dame Street,Ren-Lvesqueandde Lorimier were closed soon after the water main erupted.

The water main break was under control by the early afternoon, and the closed streets were reopened in the late afternoon.

A preventive boil-water advisory is in place for the eastern half of the island of Montreal south of Sherbrooke Street, includingMercierHochelaga-Maisonneuve,Rivire-des-PrairiesPointe-aux-Trembles and Montral-Est.

WATCH | City inspectors to search for cause of the water main break:

What will inspectors and engineers be looking for after Montreal's major water main break?

11 days ago

Duration 4:37

Rebecca Dziedzic is a professor in Concordia University's department of building, civil and environmental engineering. She says over the next few days inspectors will be analyzing the extent and location of the damage to the pipe that burst on Aug. 16.

About 150,000 residents are affected by theboil-water advisory, with many in eastern Montreal seeing a drop in water pressure.Maja Vodanovic, in charge of waterworks on the city's executive committee, told CBC Montreal's Let's Go that the boil-water advisory will likely remain in effect until Sunday.

Some 13,500 Hydro-Qubeccustomers lost power. By Friday afternoon, power was largely restored.

When the accumulation was at its peak, water was seen flowing from the street into theSt. Lawrence River.

During a morning news conference, Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante urgedeveryone to avoid the area for the rest of the day.After dealing with flooding from torrential rains a week earlier, she added, "it's really hard on citizens mentally and physically."

Late Friday afternoon after the flooding had receded, Plante said the city is now working to "figure out what happened" to the two-metre-wide drinking water conduit.She said the pipe wasinstalled in 1984, butthey normally have an average lifespan of 100 years.

Plante said all of the city's water pipes are under observation and crews are constantly checking ifrepairs are needed.A special garbage collection will take place this weekend to collect debris from the victims.

WATCH | Major water main break in Montreal creates huge mess:

Water spews into Montreal streets after water main break

11 days ago

Duration 0:33

Video captured Friday shows water bursting out of a ruptured main in downtown Montreal, near the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

The Ville-Marie borough council office is open Friday to people who are affected by the water main break.

Quebec Premier Franois Legaultsaid in anews conference Friday thatthe province had offered to help the city if needed.

Busroutes affected

The Socit de transport de Montral (STM) said several routes have been affected, namely the 10, 15, 45, 150, 410 and 430 buses.

Papineau Metro station was still functional, butprecautionary measures like the installation of sand bags weretaken.

Montreal fire department Chief Martin Guilbaultsaid nearby buildings were evacuated to make sure everyone was safe. He said it's too early to know what caused the break.

A city spokesperson said three residents were unable to return home, and have been offered care from the Red Cross.

Residents, businesses suffer losses

Eugene Shaeelmikov lives in the are and went out to get pastries for breakfast when he saw the chaos on the street.

"I'm definitelysure my neighbours will be thrilled to know what's going on," said Shaeelmikov, whose apartment and garage are underground.

The La Morin mustard company, located at the corner of Notre-Dame and Papineau streets, was completely flooded.

Owner Julien Morin described the situation as catastrophic, with losses expected toreach $1 million.

"We managed to save some machines, but all the stock intended for distribution was lost," he said.

He said about 10 other companies share his floor and are all in a similar situation.

"The question we have is that, at this time, still no one has come," Morin told Radio-Canada Friday afternoon. "We have not had any support from the city. There is not a fire truck or a police officer who has come."

Just last month, another water main broke near the McGill University Hospital Centre, causing major disruptions in the west-central part of the city.

The city's committee on water, the environment, sustainable development and large parks released a report in February that recommended Montreal develop a funding plan to update its aging infrastructure as soon as possible.