Boil-water order issued in 38 Mass. communities, including Boston, after water pipe break

Mass. water main break affects Boston, suburbs

BOSTON — Water to 2 million people in Boston and about three dozen suburbs is temporarily unsuitable for drinking after a break in a pipe that connects a major suburban reservoir to the city.

State officials say the break in the 10-foot diameter pipe in the suburb of Weston is leaking water into the Charles River at a rate of 8 million gallons per hour. The pipe connects to the Quabbin (KWAH’-bin) Reservoir.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has activated emergency water supplies from various reservoirs for bathing, flushing and fire protection. But that water isn’t suitable for drinking, so a boil-water order has been imposed in 38 communities east of Weston.

Authority engineers are on the scene of the break. Gov. Deval Patrick says it’s too soon to know when the break might be repaired.