Dunkirk crews work to repair a major water main break on Lake Shore Drive Tuesday.

The water main break that hit Dunkirk this morning has been identified and isolated, and the whole city should have water service back by dinner time, Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas said at about 10:45 a.m.

“Some areas of the city we were able to isolate and supply from reserve tanks,” he said. “Unfortunately, we can’t use this system for the whole city.”

For example, while the Lincoln Arms apartments on Main Street had water this morning, the taps were dry over on Fifth Street. Rosas said he did not have water at his own residence, on Central Avenue.

D and F Plaza is getting water from Fredonia, Rosas said. The city recently supplied water to Fredonia after the village had its own break, and now Fredonia is returning the favor, he said.

The break, first reported not long after midnight this morning, is on Lake Shore Drive near Tim Hortons. Rosas called it “one of the biggest water mains in the city. It’s one of the main arteries.”

City of Dunkirk workers, along with an engineer and a private contractor, are doing the repair work.

Rosas said this is not a North County Water District issue. The city sells water to district customers but the mayor said none of that service has been affected as of yet.

A boil water order from the county Health Department will remain in place for a few days. Rosas said that is mandatory under state regulations because there has been an interruption in water services.

He said city officials are coordinating to get bottles of water for residents. More information on that is expected later today.

The mayor said he was closing City Hall for the rest of the day.

The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services said the water main break occurred caused many Dunkirk water customers to have no water or low pressure. Because water levels have been depleted, all non-essential water use must be discontinued immediately including that used for manufacturing and other industrial purposes until further notice.

Residential customers are asked to conserve water by limiting laundry and showers and use paper and plastic ware for eating to decrease dish washing. Industrial users and schools are being asked to shut down to conserve water until water levels are stabilized.

All water customers who still have water service must boil their water before using. Once water is restored, all water customers must boil their water or use bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and making ice. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute and allow it to cool before using. The water can still be used for bathing and washing. This boil water order applies to all residential and commercial customers.

Brooks-TLC Hospital at 529 Central Ave. is without water. The hospital noted in a post on Facebook the Emergency Department was open and all surgeries and procedures have been canceled for today.

Chautauqua County operations at the Graf Building in Dunkirk were closed today. This includes the Chautauqua County Departments of Health and Human Services, Mental Hygiene, and Probation. Public assistance clients with emergency needs may call the Jamestown Office at (716) 661-8200 for assistance.

Customers served by the North County Water District, west of Lake Erie State Park including the village of Brocton, were also asked to conserve water earlier Tuesday. These emergency actions will continue until further notice.

Motorists on Lake Shore Drive, also state Route 5, were being detoured around the work that is taking place from Central Avenue to Main Street.