Boil advisory follows 3 a.m. main break that lowered Sherbondy Hill tank levels
The city of Akron issued a precautionary boil advisory Friday for roughly 10,000 customers on the west side after a water main break early in the morning reduced system pressure, officials said.
According to a city release, the failure occurred at about 3 a.m. on a 12-inch main at the intersection of Superior Avenue and Leonard Street. The break caused the elevated tank on Sherbondy Hill to drop to levels that reduced water pressure for many customers. City crews restored pressure, but officials said they were issuing the advisory out of an abundance of caution.
"All customers in this area are advised to boil their water until further notice," the city said in its release.
What residents must do
- Bring water used for drinking or cooking to a rolling boil for two minutes and let it return to the proper temperature before use.
- Follow the advisory for a minimum of 18 to 24 hours after repairs are complete and normal pressure is restored.
- Watch for possible discolored water and take steps to flush taps as recommended by the U.S. EPA.
Potential water-quality impacts and EPA guidance
The city warned that loss of pressure may cause additional water-quality disruptions, including discolored water and a potential temporary increase in lead levels in drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests these precautions to reduce possible lead exposure:
- If water has not been used for several hours, run the tap until there is a noticeable temperature drop, then run for 30 seconds to 3 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.
- Use cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula; boiling will not remove lead.
- Clean faucet aerators regularly.
For more information, the city pointed residents to resources at drinktap.org and the EPA's Safe Drinking Water pages at epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Timeline and immediate outlook
City officials said the repair was expected to be completed Friday afternoon. The advisory will remain in place until at least 18 to 24 hours after that repair and after normal system pressures are verified.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Time of break | About 3 a.m. |
| Pipe size | 12-inch main |
| Location | Superior Avenue & Leonard Street |
| Impacted customers | About 10,000 (west side) |
| Minimum advisory duration | 18–24 hours after repair and pressure restoration |
For Akron and Summit County, even brief interruptions in water pressure can have ripple effects for households, small businesses and health-sensitive populations. Officials routinely issue precautionary boil orders after pressure loss because contaminants can enter drinking systems when negative pressure or low tank levels occur. Residents in the affected area should follow the city's instructions until officials formally lift the advisory.
