The City of Hamilton issued a drinking water advisory to 21 homes in Ancaster after their watermain was damaged by construction work earlier this week.

Officials say a Hamilton Water contractor was repairing a private sewer lateral with excavating machinery when they accidentally damaged the water service line for the affected homes on Woodworth Drive East.

“This caused a temporary loss of pressure in the watermain, which had the potential to compromise the integrity of the water supply to the affected residences,” reads a statement issued by the city Thursday.

“The watermain was shut down immediately and isolated out of an abundance of caution.”

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Hamilton Water staff hand-delivered the drinking water advisory to each affected home on Tuesday evening.

Officials also provided the residents with safe drinking water.

Around 11 p.m. that evening, water was restored for non-drinking purposes such as flushing toilets, hand washing, showering and laundry.

“Affected residences should not consume tap water until the advisory is lifted,” the statement continues.

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The city says Hamilton Water staff are working on a restoration plan, which will be hand-delivered to residents once it’s finalized.

“We recognize the concern and inconvenience residents are experiencing and appreciate their patience, as we work to get safe drinking water restored to their neighbourood,” the statement reads.

The city says it continues to follow Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Hamilton Public Health Services guidelines closely, which includes proper disinfection and water sampling.