Water main break forces early dismissal at 4 schools in Mehlville district
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A boil order is in effect, and four schools in the Mehlville School District are dismissing immediately due to a water main break.
According to Christie Barnhart, a Missouri American Water spokeswoman, a 16-inch main broke around 9:30 a.m. in the 4200 block of Baumgartner Road, just west of Heintz.
“I could drive through it but it was still pouring out. I’m not sure where—maybe somewhere underneath—but it was pretty significant,” said Judy Feigenbutz, a South County resident.
“I went this morning and drove around and I noticed that Baumgartner is completely flooded. They were making traffic go in a different direction,” said David Murphy, a South County resident. Murphy lives nearby and said the water pressure is abysmal.
“I got up and attempted to take a shower and it was just more of a slow drip. So I’m going to have to put that on hold,” said Murphy.
According to Missouri American Water, 7,800 customers are currently on a precautionary water boil. Neighbors were out stocking up on bottled water in case the issues continued through Friday.
“I went to Sam’s Club and got bottled water and then I went to Dierbergs to get some distilled water you know, to wash vegetables and stuff like that. They were filling their shelves but people were pulling it off as soon as they were filling it,” said Feigenburg.
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In a statement, the Mehlville School District instituted early dismissal at Oakville High School, Oakville Middle School, Point Elementary School, and Wohlwend Elementary School.
Parents can pick up their children immediately. Buses will begin taking students home within the next hour.
Barnhart said the estimated repair time for the break is eight to 10 hours. In the meantime, customers are advised to bring water to a rolling boil before using it for cooking or drinking. Water is okay for bathing, washing, and other common uses.
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