‘Major’ water main breaks in north Minneapolis, boil water advisory issued

A “major” water main break is affecting residents and businesses in north Minneapolis, city officials said Monday.

According to Casper Hill, a spokesman for the city, the break happened along Second Street North somewhere between 26th and Lowry avenues. Residents were asked to avoid driving and walking in the area.

“The water outside this immediate area is safe to drink and cook with,” the city said in a tweet.

Tuesday morning, the city issued the boil water advisory for the following area:

• Third Street North from Lowry Avenue to 26th Avenue
• Fourth Street North from 29th to 26th Avenues

An area including Second Street North and east to the Mississippi River between Lowry and 24th Avenues remains without water Tuesday. City crews are still working to repair the main.

Tuesday morning, the city said on Twitter some people may have yellow, brown or rust colored water, but added the water is safe to drink, cook, wash with and use. However, the tweet said you can check water by running the cold-water tap found at the lowest point in your home for two or three minutes each time. Once it runs clear, flush pipes by running all cold water taps for a few minutes. In addition, the tweet said you should avoid doing laundry or using hot water until the water runs clear.

Those affected by the boil water advisory who would like bottled drinking water may pick it up from 12-8 p.m. Tuesday, at Farview Park, located at 629 N. 29th Ave. in Minneapolis, according to city officials.

Outside of Splatball Indoor Paintball, along Second Street North between 29^th and 30^th avenues, a 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS camera captured water bursting from the ground. The water was so powerful part of the pavement broke free and a tree was uprooted outside the business.

The owner of the paintball shop, Jim Emmerich, said he happened to check his security camera and noticed the water rising in the parking lot from home.  

“I pulled the camera up and I saw a little water in the parking lot, which is not unusual, but all of a sudden the water was rising before my eyes, so to speak, and I said, ‘hmm that’s a little strange’ — and then it kept rising and rising and I said, ‘I don’t know what this is, but it isn’t good,’” Emmrich said.

Throughout the breakage, the city said it was using pumps to improve water pressure throughout the city — homes as far as downtown Minneapolis had a loss in pressure throughout the night. As of late Monday night, the city spokesperson did not know how far of reach the impact had.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to city officials for additional updates on the break and will continue to update this article.