AUGUSTA, Kansas, September 8, 2008 – Augusta residents have endured nearly two days with little or no water thanks to two water main breaks that occurred on Sunday. The city says the pressure problem has been fully restored, but reminds residents that a boil order remains in effect.

Mowing on a Monday is not part of Thelma Smalley’s normal routine, but with such little water pressure she couldn’t do much else.

"Can't run the dishwasher, or run the washing machine, things like that,” she said. “Things you take for granted,”

The problem began Sunday morning when two lines burst. Crews worked throughout the day and night to fix them and finally finished Monday morning. But they weren’t the only ones putting in long hours.

"At dispatch, we've had to have extra staffing just to field all the phone calls,” said Augusta Assistant City Manager J.J. Allen.

Although the city says the pressure problem has now been restored to most of the town, many businesses had to call it a day before the day began.

The water situation also forced schools to close Monday. But barring anything unforeseen, the district says students will be back on Tuesday.

"This is the first time we've ever had to cancel school for this type of situation,” said Augusta Superintendent Jim Lentz.

Lentz’s employees spent the day insuring the safety of students when they return.

“When kids wash their hands for example, water in a sink, that water is fine to wash your hands with, but it's not necessarily fine to take a handful of it and put it in your mouth and drink it,” Lentz said.

It’s a good reminder for adults as well with the boil order expected to be in effect for a few more days.