CANAAN — Residents in Canaan village are being asked not to use the public water system while officials search for the source of a major break in the line that has depleted much of its water tank.
Town Administrator Mike Samson said around 3:15 p.m. Friday that crews were actively searching for the leak but hadn’t found it yet.
“We have a town crew working on it, and the City of Lebanon is assisting us with the effort,” Samson said. “We also have called in the Granite State Rural Water Association to help us locate the source of the leak.”
The water tank has fallen from 300,000 gallons to 40,000 gallons of water over the past week, and the water pressure in the system is continuing to drop, Samson said.
Town officials are urging people in the village to not use the water unless “absolutely necessary,” according to a news release. Drinking water is available at the fire station, and village residents can fill water jugs and containers at the Mascoma Community Health Center from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
If people absolutely need to use the water, they must boil it before cooking or drinking.
Also, Samson said outdoor fires are not permitted at this time.
“If there were a fire, there would be no village water to fight it,” he said.
The digital sign outside the Canaan Police Department off Route 118 alerted passing drivers of the water restrictions on Friday night.
Businesses in the village are being affected, Samson said.
The 603 Bakery & Cafe owner Grace Moore said via Facebook message that the cafe would be closed on Saturday because of the water issue.
“It is definitely affecting us,” Moore said in her message.
The Route 4 cafe normally is closed on Sundays, and Moore said she was hopeful the water issue would be resolved by Monday.
Kathy Frazer, an administrator at Jake’s Market and Deli, said employees at the Canaan store on Route 118 had put up signs warning people not to drink the water.
Employees are using the water “very sparingly,” she said.
The timing worked out OK for the market and deli, as the lunch rush had past, but it could be a problem if the water shortage continues for days.
“That’s going to be a bummer,” Frazer said, adding that Jake’s isn’t expecting too many people in Canaan this weekend.
“Everybody’s going to the World’s Fair in Tunbridge,” she said.
Like Jake’s, Canaan Village Pizza was in an OK position on Friday night as most of its prep work had been completed by the time town officials announced the water ban. Friday is one of the busiest nights at the Route 4 pizza shop, said employee Josh White.
“When they run dry, then we will most likely have to close,” he said.
The streets that are impacted include: Route 118 from Orange Road to the village center; Route 4 from Highland Street to Gristmill Hill Road; Graceville Road; First Street; Reagan Road; School Street; Canaan Street; Fernwood Farms Road; Bruce Road; Follansbee Road; Depot Street; Mechanic Street; Highland Avenue; High Street; Chiefs Drive; and Hill Court.
Anyone with information about the leak is asked to call Samson at 603-707-9349. Once the leak is located and repaired, the system will take about three to four days to replenish, Samson said. The town’s water supply is split 50-50 between Canaan Street Lake and a drilled well.
Valley News Staff writers Nora Doyle-Burr and Liz Sauchelli contributed to this report. Staff Writer Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.co or 603-727-3248.