A water main broke around 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning on Wagon Drive in North Reading. The DPW arrived shortly after to repair the pipe.

According to the DPW, the water main was shut down to isolate the water main break. Around 68 homes in the Wagon Drive area do not have water today.

The repairs are underway and will take 6 to 8 hours to complete and get the water main back in service, DPW Director Dick Carnevale said. The old pipe has already been cut out and the new one is in place. 

The construction blocks off traffic to Westchester Drive and Winchester Circle, however a resident reported that police created a path from Wagon Drive to Aspen Road for residents to have access to the neighborhood. 

Homes on Wagon Drive, Westchester Drive, Westward Circle and Cheyenne Drive are without water, but residents across town may experience low water pressure or discolored water. So far, the DPW has received around 12 calls regarding those issues.

"The discolored water is iron and manganese stirred up by the change in water flow direction and velocity due to the water main break. While the iron and manganese is not a heath hazard, it is objectionable to drink and use for cooking," he said. 

According to the DPW, residents with discolored water should not do laundry today and should let their water run after noon until it turns clear.

The town sent out a Code Red message to let residents know about the issue.