A boil water advisory remains in effect for parts of Collingwood, forcing some residents to stock up on bottled water and reduce their usage.

The advisory was issued on Friday evening following a water main break in the area of Pretty River Parkway and Hume Street. Repairs were completed just before 3 a.m. Saturday, and the town officials say samples collected from the site have been sent to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to confirm that the water is safe.

Those results are not expected until after the weekend, and officials initially warned that the advisory could be in place for approximately five days.

“The water samples must be tested for bacteria, which need time to grow so they can be detected,” officials said in a statement issued on Saturday. “This process takes at least two days to ensure the results are accurate and reliable.”

The advisory was initially issued broadly across the town, but further investigation has determined that the impact is limited to specific areas.

“Only residences and businesses within the impacted areas mainly in the eastern and southern parts of the Town […] including Hwy 26 East and surrounding areas east of the Pretty River and properties between Poplar Side Road and Tracey Lane/Findlay Drive, remain under a Boil Water Advisory,” officials added. “All other areas are no longer under an advisory.”

Residents in the affected areas are being asked to continue conserving water due to significant water loss caused by the break. Restaurants, bars and other food services in the affected area will remain closed for the duration of the advisory.

The town has established two bottled water distribution stations for residents in need and those who are unable to boil water. They are located at Central Park Arena on Patterson Street and the Royal Canadian Legion on Ontario Street and are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until further notice.

With files from CityNews’ Jazan Grewal.