The Pittsburgh Mills mall complex in Frazer is under a boil water notice because of a water main break, the Fawn-Frazer Joint Water Authority said Monday.

Authority Chairman Ed Adams said the water break was caused by a damaged hydrant behind the former Best Buy store at the Village At Pittsburgh Mills.

Adams said it appears as though a vehicle struck the hydrant, fracturing the underground pipe connected to the hydrant and causing the pipe to leak. The hydrant’s nozzle and safety flange were broken off, he said.

“We have two (water) tanks right nearby and those tanks were on a decline,” Adams said. “We were trying to find that leak before our tanks emptied. It was leaking pretty good.”

A news release issued by authority officials on Monday said they were alerted to the problem when a low-level tank alarm was received by the system operator. Because the water break was not in a visible, traveled area, it took crews more than an hour to locate.

Adams said the authority is required by law to issue a boil water notice anytime positive pressure is lost on a water main. He said the authority notified businesses in the Mills mall complex about the situation, as well as the Department of Environmental Protection.

“It’s a pretty isolated area, but it’s a big area and there are a lot of businesses there that have to deal with this now,” Adams said. “It’s just the Mills mall circle there. Everybody in that complex.”

The release said repair crews closed off an 18-inch valve feeding the Pittsburgh Mills mall to isolate the break. Once the break was further isolated, the water system pressure was restored.

A crew was working to repair the damage Monday, the release said.

The notice applies to water used for consumption. The authority said it is flushing the system and taking samples to ensure the water is safe.

If all proper procedures are followed, the notice could be lifted as early as Wednesday, Adams said.

Adams said the authority will check to see if there are any surveillance cameras in the area to see if they can figure out who struck the hydrant.

“We haven’t found out anything yet,” Adams said. “By the time we got there the line was already broken and there was no one around.”

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