(Update) Missouri American Water has issued a boil advisory for water customers in a large area of St. Joseph. The utility sent out an alert Thursday evening.

“This is a message from Missouri American Water. We’re calling today, Thursday, March 2, 2017 to let you know of a precautionary boil water advisory that affects your home or business. This advisory is being activated as a precaution after a water main break caused water system pressures to drop in your area.

“Please bring your water to a rolling boil for three minutes before using it for drinking or cooking. Tap water is okay for washing and bathing. The boil advisory will be in effect until tests confirm that the water is safe to drink. You will receive another call when it is lifted. We will call you again when the boil water advisory has been lifted. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.”

The break appears to have originated near 6th and Edmond Streets in downtown St. Joseph, but the advisory area extends as far north as Gene Field Road and as far south as the Platte County line.  (Click on the map to visit the utility’s Web site)

Water was oozing onto the street near 6th and Edmond Streets on Thursday afternoon. There were at least two dozen small gushers flooding the area. Water was rising from dozens of cracks in the pavement, from the landscaping around a fire hydrant, and from a sewer manhole cover.