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A valve on a water main broke in Southeast Seattle early Wednesday at South Juneau Street and Martin LutherKing Jr. Way South. A number of people in the area experienced low water pressure and about 30 customers were without water altogether, according to David Muto water system operations manager with Seattle Public Utilities. (Photo by Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

Areas affected by the water main break (Source: Seattle Public Utilities)

UPDATE 6:45 p.m. Seattle Public Utilities crews have restored water service to an area of southeast Seattle following a water pipe break, but people in the affected area should continue to boil their water until further notice.

As many as 1,300 homes were affected by the outage and the cause of the main break is unknown.

As a precaution, residents and businesses in the following areas are being asked to boil their tap water before drinking or cooking until further notice.

• An area bounded by 55^th Ave. South to the east, and 44th Ave. South to the west; and Ferdinand Street to the north, and South Brandon Street to the south.
• An area bounded by South Brandon Street to the north, and South Brighton Street to the south, and Wilson Ave. South to the east, and 48^th Ave. South to the west.

Officials also offer the following tips:

• Do not use tap water for drinking or cooking purposes — unless it is boiled.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, then let it cool and pour into a clean container.
• Dishwashers can be used if run with the sanitizing/heat cycle and commercial dishwashing detergent.
• Dishes can be hand washed if rinsed in a diluted bleach solution — one teaspoon household bleach to one gallon of water — and then allowed to air dry.
• Tap water can be used for bathing, but do not drink any of the water and do not allow babies to put water or washcloths in their mouths.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Customers with questions can call Seattle Public Utilities Customer Service, at 206-684-3000.