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More than 2,500 properties using the Okanagan Lake water source are affected by the boil water notice following Thursday鈥檚 water main break in Lake Country.

The exact cause of the break is still under investigation, District of Lake Country communications officer Karen Miller said.

The water main was struck at around 10:20 a.m. on Thursday as construction workers attempted to connect water and utilities for the Northview subdivison development. Water rushed out and down the hill south of Glenmore Road until it reached Highway 97. No injuries were reported, but two cars were trapped under gravel from a slide and homes were damaged.

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A planned water outage for water tie-ins on Glenmore was announced prior to Thursday鈥檚 events, Miller said.

鈥淥n top of the pre-planned shutdown to a small section of Glenmore Road, a water main was broken and as a result of that, ,鈥� she said.

The District of Lake Country鈥檚 first priority is always public safety, she said, and all available resources were on hand, including emergency services, the fire department, transportation ministry and first responders.

鈥淵esterday, all hands were on deck to get the water shut off and isolate the break,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淎bsolutely everyone did as fabulous a job as they could have in addressing it.鈥�

Crews are working quickly to repair the water main, but the boil water notice will remain in effect until next week.

Miller said when the system loses a large quantity of water, it loses pressure. As a result, it can create a vacuum effect and suck water back into the pipes. The District of Lake Country, following Interior Health regulations and ensuring public safety, will wait for two days of 鈥渃lear testing鈥� before reversing the notice.

鈥淣ot only were many residences affected, but residents in the area, public infrastructure and private property,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淔or the residents in the Mountview area, it was traumatic.鈥�

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The District of Lake Country recommends homeowners whose property was damaged, on Thursday, follow normal protocol and make a claim with their home insurer to get started on repairs.

鈥淚f there are any further claims to be made, the insurer will subrogate other parties,鈥� the district said.

The boil water notice also remains in effect for over 100 businesses and residences in .

Miller said properties served by private water utilities, well or direct intake are not affected. Residents who may be unsure as to where their water comes from can use

The temporary detour has been reinstated to divert traffic around the Glenmore Road closure and the construction area. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and instead take an alternate route via Highway 97 and John Hindle Drive.