Barrington High School dismissing early due to water main break

Freeze/thaw and ground movement likely to blame for broken pipe, says BCWA official

Posted 1/13/25

A water main break on Lincoln Avenue on Monday morning, Jan. 13, is forcing school officials to send Barrington High School students home two hours early.  

Barrington High School Principal …

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Barrington High School dismissing early due to water main break

Freeze/thaw and ground movement likely to blame for broken pipe, says BCWA official

Posted

A water main break on Lincoln Avenue on Monday morning, Jan. 13, is forcing school officials to send Barrington High School students home two hours early. 

Barrington High School Principal Chris Ashley emailed families at about 11 a.m. alerting them to the situation. Ashley wrote that the water main break occurred on Lincoln Avenue in front of the high school’s library entrance. 

“The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) is currently on site to make necessary repairs. All water in the school must be shut off to accommodate this work,” Ashley wrote in the email. 

School officials planned to dismiss students after lunch. Buses would be available to bring students home.

“All home after-school sports and activities are currently on hold pending the water main repair,” Ashley wrote. “An update on sports/activities will occur at dismissal, please be sure to check your communication from your coach or advisor later today.”

District officials planned to share an update on the situation shortly after the repair work began. 

An official with the Bristol County Water Authority said the likely cause of the broken water main is freezing and thawing and ground movement. He said the water main dates back to 1950 — it is an eight-inch cast iron main. BCWA officials have been on scene since being notified of the leak at 8 a.m. on Monday morning. 

"We've been in contact with the school regarding shutdown needed for the repair," the BCWA official wrote in a message to the Barrington Times. 

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