Boil-water notice lifted for 1,500 Avion customers, water deemed safe after roundabout contractor hits line in NE Bend

(Update: Boil-water notice lifted; water safe)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A contractor on a roundabout project hit a main Avion Water Co. line in northern Bend Tuesday afternoon, "causing widespread water outages and loss of pressure," the utility said.

Repairs were completed within hours, but about 1,500 customers were under a boil-water notice until test results were received Wednesday.

Around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Avion advised: "The precautionary boil water notice, issued yesterday by Avion Water for parts of Northeast Bend has been lifted due to water samples testing negative for contamination. Water throughout the area has been confirmed safe to drink without boiling."

Avion President Jason Wick told KTVZ News at the scene Tuesdasy that an excavator with Jack Robinson & Sons struck a 12-inch water main, causing a "rock-shaped" break during roundabout construction at the intersection of Deschutes Market and Yeoman roads.

"It was literally just an accident," Wick said.

The outage was reported around 3:20 p.m., and Wick told us around 5:30 p.m. that they expect to have all service restored within two hours.

The impact was widespread: Residents off Deschutes Market Road reported having no water from their faucets, while others on Bend's north end off Hunter Circle reported very low water pressure.

Around 5 p.m., the utility issued a boil-water notice for 1,500 customers - hundreds of homes and properties over a wide area.

While the broken pipe also caused some flooding in the area, Wick said there were no reports of damage to homes or structures.

The boil-water notice also affectsedthree Bend schools, and Bend-La Pine Schools sent this notice to families Tuesday about the impacts:

"Dear Bend-La Pine families,

This afternoon, a contractor hit a main water line that services Lava Ridge Elementary, Ponderosa Elementary, and Sky View Middle School. We have been notified by Avion Water that those three schools are to be on a boil water notice until the water line is tested and deemed safe.

• Our Facilities department is working directly with Avion Water to provide pallets of bottled water to all affected schools. 
• Our Nutrition Services department is notifying our kitchen staff and will make necessary adjustments for snack and meal preparation and service.
• Custodial staff will block off all water fountains.
• Bathrooms will not be impacted and will be fully functional.

Thank you for your understanding and we will keep you informed as repairs are made and the boil water notice is lifted.

Thank you,

Bend-La Pine Schools"