GREENPORT — Part of the town of Greenport was without water for several hours Thursday due to a water main break.
The break, which occurred sometime during the early morning hours, was on Healy Boulevard, at the east entrance to the former Shop Rite.
Water gushed out of the ground about a foot into the air at the site of the break.
Crews from Greenport Water Department arrived on the scene and began shutting off water to the area in order to be able to fix the affected area.
Many businesses in the area were left without water, once the supply was turned off. Fairview Plaza was affected, including the strip that houses Planet Fitness, Ollie’s, The UPS Store, the laundromat and others, as well as the strip with the Bank of Greene County. Other area businesses including Dunkin Donuts and Burger King were left without water, officials said.
Some of the affected businesses opted to close early for the day.
Homes and businesses on Town Hall Drive were also affected, officials said.
Heavy equipment was brought to the scene to dig down to the pipe and repair it.
Crews worked throughout the day to repair the break, and to get the water turned back on.
Officials had hoped for full restoration during the afternoon.