ALERT: Water service restored in Rehoboth

Water service along State Road and in the Schoolvue area of Rehoboth Beach was shut down for five hours Dec. 19 after a contractor doing construction hit a water main.

City spokeswoman Krys Johnson said A-Del Construction, contractor installing the force main on the city’s ocean outfall, hit the water main. Water was shut down at 11 a.m. as the city and the contractor are restored service. Water service was back at 3:25 p.m. City officials said Rehoboth Beach Elementary is expected to maintain its usual schedule.

Cape Henlopen School District Superintendent Robert Fulton said the elementary lost water at about 10 a.m., but a fire hydrant was hooked up to provide limited water pressure to the school for flushing toilets. Bottled water was brought for drinking. He said he weighed the option of sending kids home, but decided against it because many kids have working parents and water pressure returned when the hydrant was hooked up. Fulton said school will be held regular time tomorrow, even if there is still limited water pressure. “We’re hoping it’s fixed this evening,” he said.

Johnson urged residents turning on their water to run the cold tape for a few minutes to clear the pipes.

For more information, contact the communications department, 227-6181 ext 522 or email communications@cityofrehoboth.com.