ATHENS, Ohio (WSAZ) -- The City of Athens is asking residents to conserve water following a “major” break to a water transmission line and several smaller distribution lines.

The Engineering and Public Works Department says the break happened Monday on North Congress Street.

Crews will be draining the city reservoir at Highland Park to a low level as part the repair effort. As a result, they say some customers in the Uptown area may experience water shortages or outages Tuesday.

The break forced the Athens County Courthouse and Annex to close. Athens City Schools will be releasing middle and high schools at 12:30 p.m.; elementary students at 1:30 p.m.

Ohio University also sent out an alert notifying students and staff that facilities could experience low water pressure.

A boil order has also been issued for the following streets: Pine Place, Fremont Avenue, West Carpenter Street, First Street, and Walker Street.

Officials don’t know when repairs will be completed.

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