A massive water line break is sending a jet of water shooting skyward near the campus of Ohio University Eastern.

Officials said a subcontractor was drilling for a power pole when crews struck an 8-inch water main.

Belmont Sanitary Sewer Director Mark Esposito said at first, his crew wasn't sure which line was hit.

"In that particular area, there's an 8-inch water line, there's a 12-inch water line, sewer lines in there, gas lines, telephone lines ..." Esposito said.

That's why, Esposito said, it is one of the most complex areas to figure out which valve needed to be shut off.

"All we can do is just shut valves down until we could hear water going through them and we could determine which line was broken," Esposito said.

Water was restored to all homes, businesses and colleges along state Route 331 and Route 40 west toward Morristown not long after the break.

 
There are several high-pressure water lines in that area, and multiple lines are grouped together. Crews were able to shut the valve off around noon.

A 48-hour boil order is in place for customers along state Route 31 and Route 40 west.