Officials said a 10-inch PVC pipe broke a few blocks from the downtown area on Rectory Road near Salisbury Street on Sunday. Chris Hennington said he realized there was a problem late Sunday night.
"I finished watching a movie last night at 10:30. I went to get ready for bed and I brushed my teeth, and there was no juice," he said.
Some who live near Rectory Road report low water pressure and some residents do not have any water at all. Officials fixed the pipe Monday afternoon. They believe the pipe broke because of improper installation, but getting to the problem was a challenge.
"It was under about six feet of soil and a pretty good bit of pavement," town manager David Hughes said.
The water problems forced schools to close early. Students will not have to make up the day at a later date.
A 24-hour boil-water notice has been issued, which is causing trouble for some area businesses.
"We're open, but everyone thinks we don't have any water and can't operate, so we don't have any business, at least not much," barbershop owner Chester Barker said.
Pittsboro has not been immune to water problems. This is the third water main break in recent weeks.
The town has allocated $50,000 in the new budget to help address the problem. In the next few months, they hope to install at least a dozen valves on some of the pipes. That way, if there is a break, they can isolate certain sections without disrupting water service to the whole town.
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