CUMMING – Residents in parts of Cumming are being advised to boil their water to avoid potential health hazards after a 10-inch section of city water line broke on Tuesday.

The areas affected by “dangerously low [water pressure] levels” are Pilgrim Mill Road, Freedom Parkway and Hammond’s Crossing, according to a public advisory from the Cumming Utilities Department sent Wednesday afternoon.

The cast iron pipe broke May 9 on Pilgrim Mill Road, resulting in the boil water advisory that will last through 5 p.m. on May 11.

“When this occurs, a potential health hazard may exist in the areas of zero pressure from backflow and/or back-siphonage of water of unknown quality into the water distribution system,” the advisory said.

Anyone who receives water from the city and who experienced zero or low water pressure between May 9 and 10 should “boil all water prior to use for drinking, cooking or preparing baby food. The water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil.

“Affected customers should continue to boil their water before use for the next approximately 24 hours.”

Jon Heard, director of the city department, said the reason for the line break was pressure issues in older pipes and that the advisory is out of an “abundance of caution per state rules.”

“We don’t have many folks saying they’re completely out of water, mostly just low water pressure,” Heard told the Forsyth County News Wednesday. “It’s mostly in the northeastern quadrant of our service area.”

Questions about the boil water notice or city water services should be directed to Cumming Utilities at (770) 781-2020.