***UPDATE*****

The City of Elkins released the following information Sunday night:

“Update as of Jan. 26, 8:12 p.m.: Patches holding. We are now pumping raw water again, but only at 60% of normal rate. We should be able to keep ahead of demand overnight, but please continue to conserve water until the order is lifted.”

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ELKINS — The City of Elkins issued a mandatory water conservation order due to a water-main break near Boundary Avenue and High Street.

At 5:04 p.m. Sunday, the following city press release was issued:

“The Chief Operator of the Elkins Public Water System has issued a mandatory water-conservation order. Please take this order seriously to ensure sufficient water supplies for our city’s hospitals, nursing homes, and other uses essential for protection of life, health, and safety.

“This order is being issued in an abundance of caution in response to the break in the raw-water line carrying river water to the Water Treatment Plant. Until repairs are complete, we cannot pump new water to the plant for treatment to replace the water currently being used by customers.

“Under normal usage patterns, we would anticipate running out of treated water by around 9 p.m. tonight. Our team is making good progress and we are cautiously optimistic we will complete the repair well in advance of that time. But we ask everyone’s assistance in reducing water usage as much as possible in the meantime.

“Effective immediately, Elkins water customers should stop all non-essential water usage, including but not limited to:

* Washing automobiles or equipment

* Watering plants

* Operating ornamental water features

* Filling pools

“Please also consider postponing dish washing, laundry, baths, and showers until after the order is lifted.

“(This situation is not anticipated to result in a boil water notice. However, if the city’s water supply is fully depleted and we lose pressure on the system as a result, it may be necessary to issue a citywide boil water notice.)”