No Timetable for Full Water Restoration to SHS, District Court

UPDATE (12:42 p.m.): There is no timetable at this hour for full water restoration to both Salem High School and Salem District Court, according to Salem Department of Public Works Director Rick Russell.

Russell assured that his utility workers will stay on scene and work for as long as it takes to solve the issue.

He said that the cause of the water main break in the Geremonty Drive area is difficult to pinpoint, but said the problem could have precipitated from a variety of sources. Russell said the issue could range from a crack running longitudinally along the damaged water pipe to the pipe being blown.

The incident was first reported to Salem DPW around 10 a.m. Water was turned off at that time to all area buildings, but Russell said that Town Hall, Salem Haven and the Salem Boys & Girls Club are back online.

Part of SHS is back up and running, but Russell said the technical wing of the building and the nearby superintendent's office are still out.

Russell said that the pipe in question is not that old.

With school getting out after 2 p.m., Russell said he doesn't expect the damage will be repairs by that time.

Representatives of Dig Safe System, Inc. have also been contacted, as is required before any digging is done in the area.

Russell said that Dig Safe is responsible for locating any underground utilities in the area, such as electric, gas and telephone. In an emergency, they come to the scene within an hour.

As for Salem DPW workers, four crew members were taken off another job to respond to the emergency. If more employees are needed, those workers will be supplemented with other employees within the utility division, Russell said.

An Earlier Story Follows:

A water main break was reported in the last hour at Salem High School causing the school to go dry, according to a Tweet from the Area News Group.

According to reports, water service has been restored to parts of the high school by Salem Department of Public Works, but the School Administrative Unit buiilding and Salem District Court remained without water as of 30 minutes ago.

There is no word as to what caused the water main break.

Salem NH Patch will have more on this story as it develops.