Notice of Water Main Shutdown

Please be advised that on Saturday, February 18, between 6 a.m. and until 12 p.m., the City of Melrose Department of Public Works (DPW) will perform necessary repairs related to the recent water main break on West Wyoming Avenue in the vicinity of Cottage Street (near the Lincoln School).

During this time, for several hours, the water will be off on West Wyoming Avenue between Cottage Street and Pleasant Street, and on Pleasant Street between West Wyoming Avenue and 477 Pleasant Street. The outage could possibly also extend to the commuter rail tracks on West Wyoming at times, but DPW hopes to be able to perform the repair with water still available to the properties between Pleasant Street and the tracks.

The road will likely be closed to all vehicles other than MBTA and emergency vehicles from Pleasant Street to Cottage Street in at least one direction, with police details stationed at either end of the detour.

The DPW plans to start setting up the project site at 6 a.m. and begin digging at 7 a.m. We expect this work to take approximately six hours and hope to have water restored around 12 p.m. We have worked to schedule the repair at a time that would minimize disruptions to businesses, residents, and programming at the Lincoln School, while balancing jobsite safety needs. We understand that this shutdown will have an impact on you, and we will work to restore water as quickly as possible.

Please follow these Dos and Don'ts

• If you are experiencing low or no water pressure, do not attempt to use your water during this period of time.
• When the water is turned back on, turn your cold water on first, in the lowest faucet in your property, and let it run until it is clear.
• Do not run your hot water or use your dishwasher until the water is clear.
• Do not use your washing machine during or immediately after the shutdown -- your clothes may become stained. If they do, do not wash them again. Call the Public Works office and we will provide you with a product that will most likely take the rust off your clothes.
• Although the water is safe to drink, please avoid drinking the water if it is discolored.
• We do not recommend it, but you may flush your toilet; however, when the water is turned on you will need to flush several times to clear the discolored water from the toilet tank.
• If you use your hot water when the water is discolored, you may have to completely flush the hot water tank to clear out the discoloration and there is a possibility that you may damage the hot water heater.

If you have questions or concerns about access to water, please call the Melrose DPW Engineering Division at 781-979-4172. For water issues after normal working hours, please call the Melrose Police Department at 781-665-1212.  Thank you for your patience during this important work.