WEST POINT — The City of West Point has issued a boil water notice following a “substantial” water main break.

The break occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. Wednesday morning at the intersection of Roper Ave. and W 15 St, 200 yards outside of the West Point water plant, according to the city’s Utility Director Sammy Inman.

“It was because of the age of the pipes,” he said. “They were very, very old. (This was) one of the first water mains in the city.”

The leak caused water pressure in parts of the system to drop to “dangerously low levels.” Areas of zero pressure could create a health hazard from backflow and/or back-siphonage of water from unknown quality into the water distribution system.

Inman said that the pipe was repaired at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday, but that bacterial testing takes 48 hours to complete.

“There are federal rules that require us to do bacteria sampling in the area to make sure there is no contamination,” he explained. “It takes 48 hours to get those results.”

The city urges the public to protect themselves from the hazards by boiling all water prior to drinking, cooking or preparing baby food with it. The release details how all water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil.

The city says that citizens should continue to boil their water until they are notified by the city that the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption. Inman is hopeful that testing will come back negative for bacteria and that water should be safe to consume Friday.

Citizens can reach out to the city with questions or concerns at 706-645-2226.