EAST PROVIDENCE — A leak discovered in the Bristol County Water Authority main pipe located in Providence could have consequences for residents and business owners in the south end of East Providence.

At a press conference held at East Providence City Hall Thursday afternoon, April 11, hosted by Mayor Bob DaSilva and attended by BCWA Executive Director Pam Marchand, P.E., Executive Director, Bristol County Water Authority, East Providence Fire Department Chief Oscar Elmasian and East Providence Water Department Superintendent Jim Marvel, the officials outlined the details of the situation.

The leak was discovered on Tuesday, April 9. The BCWA was notified of water coming up in the Providence Port Authority parking lot. At the Thursday press conference, officials said leak in the pipeline appears to be where the main is 8 to 14 feet deep and noted finding the source is “not an easy process.”

As a precaution, the BCWA requested that East Providence run a test on the back-up supply to BCWA through a 16-inch emergency interconnection installed several years ago. The connection is at the location where the BCWA East Bay pipeline enters Pawtucket Ave. and the 16 inch East Providence distribution system water main.

According to city officials, customers in East Providence could see some discoloration of water and a loss of pressure during the testing process and as the two systems share access. The disruption is likely to be commensurate with using a “low flow” shower head. Worst case scenario the situation could linger for a few months.

From a public safety perspective, Chief Elmasian said the city is fortunate there are no structures of significant height in the area. He the said EPFD personnel would have to compensate for the reduced pressure by adjusting how they pump water, but it should have any debilitating affect on how they respond to typical events.