Friday morning found many downtown business owners answering a call from the Elkin water department only to learn that their service would be turned off completely for most of the day.

“A six inch water main broke between a T and a valve,” Robert Fuller, director of the Elkin Public Works said. “It’s just a normal break. We have one or two of these types of breaks a year.”

Crews opened fire hydrants releasing pressure from the main line allowing for the old valves to be turned, closing the water supply. Part of the pavement at the intersection of North Bridge St. and Market St. had to be dug up to reach the break.

Teresa Ray of Harry’s reported that she still had water service around 11 a.m., but lost all service by 1 p.m.

“We expect to have 60 percent of the water service functioning by 5:30 p.m.,

“Some of the old valves aren’t holding,” Kevin Wilson, water supervisor said. “We’ll have it fixed today though. It’s just an ordinary break,” said. “It’s just something that happens from time to time in any water system. Unfortunately, there will be an inconvenience to many of the businesses downtown and some residents until we have the service restored.”

“Elkin has a plan to rework and replace part of the sewer lines on the Southwest end of town, but there are no plans on the board to replace any of the existing water lines at this time,” Fuller said. “As pipes get older, they simply break.”

Crews worked diligently throughout the day and service was restored by Friday evening.