A series of water main breaks has left some residents in the Gunbarrel and east Boulder areas without water today.

The main is believed to have burst when high pressure was created when water crews attempted to shot off some water mains that the Gunbarrel water tank could undergo routine inspection.

The area is bordered by Gunbarrel on the north, Foothills Parkway on the west, Arapahoe Road on the south and 75th Street on the east.

"I'd like to apologize to our customers for this widespread event," said Utilities Director Ned Williams. "We'll work quickly to restore water services to all affected parties."

All crews have been called in to repair the ruptured mains, but it is not known how long repairs will take. Residents are advised to remove cars from the street if they see water coming out of the ground in their area.

Water customers may notice brown or discolored water after service is restored. Running several cold water taps at full force for a short period will usually flush out discolored water.

A general recommendation is to run cold water for 10 minutes, then if the water is not clear, wait for an hour before flushing for 10 minutes again. Running water in a garden hose is often an effective way to clear discolored water, as the water can also be used for landscape watering.

It is also recommended that those affected do not do laundry during the discolored water event, as the water may stain clothing, and to avoid using hot water to prevent sediment from entering a hot water heater.

For more information, residents can call 303-413-7100.