A water main break in Watertown prompted an emergency response from state and local officials, with the main pipe being fixed Thursday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state was working to distribute emergency water amid concerns the normal flow of drinkable water would run out Thursday.

She declared a state of emergency in Jefferson County, releasing resources to support the response in the area. More than 32,000 gallons of drinking water and 11 water tankers are being dispatched to Watertown, Hochul said.

“Emergency responders have been on the ground in Watertown since this morning, working to keep our communities safe and deploying resources as needed,” Hochul said.

Jefferson County deployed reverse 911 cell phone alerts to all residents.

Watertown Mayor Jeff Smith said it could be another 48 hours of a boil water advisory after the main pipe repair. A three-day boil order is expected after service is restored.

Hochul said water distribution sites were established at multiple locations:

  • Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 970 Coffeen St., Watertown
  • Watertown High School, 1335 Washington St., Watertown
  • State Street and Eastern Boulevard, Watertown.

The distribution sites were open again as of 7 a.m. Friday. Residents are asked to bring their own containers for bulk potable and non-potable water. Potable water is limited to containers that can be carried.

Jefferson County officials also asked people who live in the city and town of Watertown to boil water for at least a minute before using it. The city of Watertown has a mandatory conserve water notice in place.

All Watertown city buildings have been closed, including the municipal arena, and Samaritan Health said its locations in Watertown have been impacted.

Jefferson County offices, except the airport, highway and sheriff's office, will be closed Friday, as will the Watertown School District.

Hochul said the state's emergency operations center is active and state agencies are on the ground. She said workers are moving valves from Fort Drum to aid restoration.

Fort Drum said it had moved off the city's water line and is using its own, and officials are coordinating bringing in treatment equipment to get water directly from the Black River.