A broken water main on Pine Island Road caused the Lee County Health Department to issue a precautionary boil water notice Thursday for part of north Cape Coral.

The affected area is bounded by Pine Island Road on the south, Andalusia Boulevard on the west, Jacaranda Parkway on the north and Hancock Creek on the east.

The water main broke Thursday morning, and the city was notified at 9:15 a.m., according to an e-mail from city spokesperson Connie Barron. Work to repair the line began shortly after the break.

A precautionary notice typically lasts 48 hours and is required when water pressure drops significantly or water is shut off for a period of time.

Contaminated water could contain infectious bacteria such as E. coli and viruses, according to the Florida Department of Health. Barron’s statement, however, points out that the boil water notice does not mean that problems actually exist with the water.

Residents and businesses should bring water to a roiling boil for at least one minute before drinking or using it while the notice is in effect.