Nesquehoning crews faced below freezing temperatures Monday morning when a water main broke in the New Columbus section of the borough forced officials to issue a borough-wide water emergency.

The break was the second water main break in the borough in less than a week.

The problem was discovered early Monday morning at the intersection of West Garibaldi and Genoa Avenue, the borough water authority reported; however because of the amount of water being lost from the break several other areas of town reported a loss in water pressure.

Approximately a half dozen borough workers were on scene for several hours, digging, cutting and replacing the damaged portion of the piping.

The repair was completed just after 2 p.m., however a water boil advisory for the town remains as a precaution.

Suzanne Smith of the water authority said Tuesday morning that the borough is now working with state guidelines to take water samples for testing and are hoping to have the boil advisory lifted by Thursday.

Borough water officials said the valve broke on the main and caused the problem.

Smith said that the valve the blew was from 1995.

Mayor Tom Kattner said Tuesday morning that the borough is “looking into every aspect to see what can be done to stop this from happening” in the future.

The borough authority posted on its Facebook page that residents may experience discolored water, air in the water lines and low water pressure for the time being.

Anyone with questions should contact the borough water authority office at 570-669-6124 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or leave a message if it is after hours.