Water Main Break Pinches D.C.’s Flow

WASHINGTON — District of Columbia residents were asked to conserve water Saturday night after a break in a 48-inch water main that serves a third of the city.

A 12-foot-high bubble of water roiled from a downtown intersection, flooding nearby streets.

Officials said they were concerned about water shortages at area hospitals and having enough water pressure to fight fires.

Residents within a circle roughly three miles across--just north of the main downtown area--had reduced water pressure. Some had no water service at all and were expected to be without service until this morning, officials said.