PORTLAND — Tap water is safe to drink on the Portland peninsula, the Portland Water District announced Thursday morning.

The water district lifted a boil order for the peninsula at 8:45 a.m., after tests found no contamination.

A water main break Wednesday on Somerset Street prompted the district to issue the boil order for a major portion of the city, east of Interstate 295.

The break also forced the School Department to cancel classes at East End Elementary School and Reiche Community School, on the peninsula. All other Portland public schools remained in session, although Portland High School students were released at noon.

Sections of Elm Street and Somerset Street were also closed to traffic.

The boil order went into effect at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday as the Water District collected samples and pumped knee-deep water out of the streets to repair the water main.

The water district expected to complete repairs by midnight, Wednesday.

Will Graff can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or wgraff@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @W_C_Graff.

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The shaded portion of the Portland peninsula was under a boil water order after a water main break Wednesday morning on Somerset Street. The order was lifted Thursday morning.

A map issued by Portland City Hall showing streets closed by Wednesday’s water main break and suggested detours.

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