Large area of Montreal under boil-water advisory after ‘enormous’ water main erupts

A major water main broke near the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal on Friday morning, spilling large quantities of water into the surrounding streets.

Residents are under a boil-water advisory and multiple roads are closed after a massive water main break in Montreal's Ville-Marie borough sent water spewing several metres into the air, flooding streets and basements.

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante told reporters Friday morning that it would likely take hours to repair the pipe, which she described as "enormous" at around a metre wide. 

The city has put a boil-water advisory in place for three boroughs: Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Riviere-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles and the City of Montreal-East. A map of affected residences is available here.

The City of Montreal's website says residents should boil their water for at least a minute before consuming it.

Officials say a drop in water pressure within the distribution network triggered the advisory, which they called "preventative."

The water main broke around 6 a.m. on René-Lévesque Boulevard at De Lorimier Avenue, causing water to spill into the streets. About a half hour later, a massive geyser about 20 metres high had erupted.