Eastsiders under boil alert following flooding from water main break

After flooding from a water main break shut down a chunk of the east side, the water company issued a boil alert through noon March 29.

Citizens Energy Group issued the advisory following the water main break March 27 near 22nd Street and Andrew J. Brown Avenue. The break caused area streets to significantly flood and some customers to lose service. Several roads are closed and it’s unclear when they will reopen.

The water main break also closed several Indianapolis Public Library branches: Irvington, Martindale-Brightwood, Eagle Branch, East Washington Street, East 38th Street, Warren and Spades Park. Eskenazi Health also closed its Grassy Creek and Grande health centers on 38th Street.

Eastside customers should check this map to see if they’re under the alert.

Citizens said it is working to fix the break and restore service to customers. In a news release, Citizens said the water produced by the company “remained safe” during the water main break. But due to a widespread loss of pressure, the company was “taking additional precautions to verify water quality in the distribution system was not adversely affected.”

About boiling water

Boiling water kills bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms.

Customers should boil water for three minutes and let it cool before use. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or cooking.

Customers can use regular water for showering, cleaning or flushing.

Mirror Indy reporter Darian Benson covers east Indianapolis. Contact her at 317-397-7262 or darian.benson@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @HelloImDarian or on Bluesky @darianbenson.bsky.social.