The Lewes Board of Public Works has now restored water service to all customers, but a boil water order remains in effect for anyone who gets their water from BPW.

BPW CEO Tom Panetta told the Cape Gazette that a 12-inch water main running beneath the canal was either damaged or failed around 3 a.m. on August 20.

He said that although all services have been restored, some residents on the beach side may still experience low water pressure.

Panetta said dive teams would inspect the pipes Wednesday morning and make repairs if necessary.

He said water samples had been sent to the Delaware Department of Health and Human Services testing laboratory, but it would take 18 hours for results to be available, so the boil water order was issued as a precautionary measure.

BPW’s website states that until further notice, customers should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing food.

Panetta said it is important that people not use hot water at all, as this could cause deposits to build up in their homes’ water heaters.

Panetta noted that Beebe Healthcare has its own system and is not affected by the boil water order. He also said BPW is in communication with the Cape Henlopen School District, which has BPW services.

For more information about the boil water order, visit lewesbpwde.gov.