posted on: 2/8/2025; updated: 2/9/2025

Dover Community Services crews have successfully located a water main break that caused significant water loss throughout the city. The break was discovered in an unoccupied building on the corner of First Street and Central Avenue, and repair crews were able to make repairs to restore normal service.

"We want to thank Dover residents for their extraordinary cooperation by reporting water issues throughout the day and with our water conservation measures during this emergency," said Community Services Director John Storer. "Their efforts helped maintain system pressure while our crews worked to locate the break."

With the break now located, the city is lifting its emergency water conservation notice. Residents may resume normal water usage.

The break was particularly difficult to locate because it was in the basement of the unoccupied building and was not visible to inspection.

The water main break was first reported late Friday night, prompting a citywide search involving city staff across several departments and multiple agencies, including Community Services, Dover Police, Dover Fire and Rescue, and New Hampshire State Police.