Around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, the Tamaqua Area Water Authority started repairs on a water main break located about 100 feet parallel to Rt. 209 near Hart Metals at the east end of Tamaqua.

A week ago, they discovered a smaller leak when they saw water shooting out of the ground.In preparation for the water main leak repair, the water authority spent the past week cutting down trees and laying stones to create a wide 400-foot path through the woods and brush for their heavy equipment to reach the water main break. Because businesses located at the Jamesway Plaza would be affected, they delayed the start of the work until early Sunday.While they were attempting to finish these repairs, the water main completely burst around 3 a.m. They then requested the quick assistance of Pioneer Construction Company, near Dallas, to help with the repair.Pioneer Construction Company has successfully helped with other Tamaqua water main breaks in the past.Residents in Dutch Hill can expect to have low water pressure for the duration of the repair, which are estimated to be completed by early this morning.Cold temperatures have caused a 20-foot high patch of thick ice and icicles to form on an embankment adjacent to the water main break. An ice dam leading from the water main break to a parallel creek has also formed.The Tamaqua Area Water Authority and the Tamaqua fire company have connected gas-powered water pumps to fire hydrants in Dutch Hill to help improve pressure for the residents of Dutch Hill while they repair the water main.Tamaqua Area Water Authority Supervisor Rob Jones worked with fellow water authority workers and Pioneer Construction contractors late Sunday into Monday morning and hopes to have the water main repaired by this morning. A water boil advisory is in effect until further notice for Dutch Hill in Tamaqua.