January 20, 2026 - Community Update

Town of Colonie Notification
From the Superintendent of the Latham Water District

Watermain Break Update
Issued January 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

At approximately 8:00 a.m. on January 19, 2026, a 24-inch water transmission main located in the vicinity of 31 British American Boulevard in Latham, which delivers water to the western region of the Town of Colonie, experienced a catastrophic failure resulting in significant system-wide pressure reduction.

Employees of Latham Water immediately mobilized and identified the affected area.  Due to the size and complexity of the pipe failure, the break was not completely isolated until approximately 4:00 p.m.  During this time, water continued to be released from the system and pressure continued to decline.

A loss of pressure is not an indication that water is unsafe to drink.  However, loss of pressure has the potential to result in untreated water admittance into the drinking water system via backflow or leaks.  Our Latham Water District has not yet detected any issues with water quality, but because pressure in some areas of the Town eventually fell below our safety threshold, and in an abundance of caution, the boil notice was issued.  The language of such notice is set forth by State and County rules. 

Although pressure has been re-established within our water system, the Boil Water Advisory issued at 3:59 p.m. on January 19, 2026, remains in effect until such time as laboratory analyses confirm that treated water remained unaffected by the pressure loss.  Multiple samples are mandated and each sample requires 24 hours to complete. 

To receive the most up-to-date information regarding this and other events via text or email, customers are encouraged to join Colonie Stay Connected available on the Town of Colonie homepage at www.townofcolonie.gov.

For more information, please contact the Latham Water District at (518)-783-2750 or the Albany
County Department of Health at (518)-447-4620.