KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — Old water pipes are being blamed for a leak that caused a water shutdown Saturday for the second time in a week, an Air Force spokesman said.

Workers from the 18th Civil Engineering Squadron identified the leak early Saturday morning and shut off base water access about 8 a.m. Water was restored Saturday afternoon but Kadena officials, citing contamination concerns, advised residents to boil water for two to five minutes before drinking or cooking with it.

The water supply is considered safe for bathing and washing, the spokesman said.

Base restaurants and dining facilities stopped serving all ice, tap water and fountain drinks Saturday. Medical officers were examining the water Saturday afternoon and could clear it for consumption by Sunday if they find no contamination, the spokesman said.

The latest water-main burst was unrelated to a Tuesday afternoon accident near Gate 2, when a backhoe damaged an abandoned water tap, causing a leak and triggering a shutdown.

Kadena officials said they would post the latest information on the 18th Wing Commander’s Access channel and e-mail Kadena residents of any changes.

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