Photo Credit: Jeff Montgomery

Athens-Clarke County workers try to isolate a water main break off Jefferson Road so they can repair it.

A water main break in western Athens has forced authorities to close part of the Loop and advise some residents to boil water before drinking or cooking with it.

A 24-inch main burst on Jefferson Road near the Homewood Hills shopping center, causing water pressure in some areas to drop to dangerously low levels.

In that area (shown on the map below), residents should bring water to a rolling boil for one minute to kill any microbes, according to Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities.

In addition, the leak damaged a traffic-signal pole and cabinet at the Loop’s Prince Avenue exit. The Georgia Department of Transportation has closed both the entrance and exit ramps while repairs are made and is advising motorists to use Chase Street.

Officials have no timetable for repairing the leak or reopening the Loop ramps.