MELBOURNE, Fla. — Thousands of Brevard beachside residents and businesses remain under a precautionary boil water notice after a main break Thursday morning.

  • Area impacted is from DeSoto Parkway north to Pineda Causeway
  • All water for drinking, cooking, etc. needs to be boiled first

The water pressure dropped for those living in from DeSoto Parkway north to Pineda Causeway and a crew was sent earlier Thursday to search for the cause.

Crews found the broken 12-inch water main at South Patrick Drive and Jackson Avenue in the afternoon.

"Therefore, as a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes, be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used," the city cautioned.

Now the hard part: Getting proper water pressure restored to thousands in this area. About 10,000 to 15,000 customers have low water pressure from Desoto Parkway to the Pineda Causeway, and around 5,000 are under a boil water alert.

Until a bacteriological survey is completed and shows that the water is safe to drink, the notice will remain in place, stated the city.

Anyone with questions can call Melbourne Public Works & Utilities Administration office at 1-321-608-5000 or the after-hours emergency number of 1-321-255-4622.

Reporter Greg Pallone contributed to this story.