A dozen businesses near the Port of Tacoma tide flats area are without water service after a water main broke Tuesday night, according to Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) officials.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. when a plug connecting one pipe to the water main failed, allowing water to pour from the pipe at very high pressure, according to a TPU spokesperson.

Tacoma Water customers without service who also received a notice on their door need to boil their water once service is restored. TPU anticipates the boil water notice will remain in place for approximately 18 to 24 hours after service is restored. If other customers have dirty water, they should run it until it’s clear. There are no health concerns with the water outside of the boil water notice area, according to TPU officials, and sediment in the pipes sometimes gets stirred up when events like this take place. TPU customers should call (253) 502-8384 to report dirty water.

More information is available online here.

UPDATE | Thurs., Oct. 23 @ 12:03 a.m. — Tacoma Public Utilities officials report the water main has been repaired and service has been restored to 12 businesses in the tide flats area.