First it was the lack of rain that kept us dry this summer. Now, two water main breaks in the south end of Ironton and at Ohio University Southern have left that part of town without water.

Mayor Rich Blankenship said a construction crew at the university hit a water main and ruptured it. Another water line on Fifth Street between Maple and Pine street “just popped,” Blankenship said. “The lines are old.”

Blankenship said the breaks affect a large part of the city.

“From what I’m hearing, it’s a major part of the south end of town,” about half the city, Indian Hills,” Blankenship said.

He estimated the two breaks will take “several hours” to repair.