TROY — A busted pipe Wednesday afternoon caused the loss of at least 1.7 million gallons of water, closed Oakwood Avenue from Frear Park Road to Farrell Road and led to a request to Route 7 businesses to shut down for the time being.

City officials said water service and adequate pressure may not return to the area until close to midnight. The pipe burst around 2:30 p.m. At around 4 p.m., backhoes were being deployed and engineers were converging at the site and they began digging just before 4:30 p.m. The 24-inch pipe is a cast iron main dating to the 1960s.

Customers east of Burdett Avenue can expect a loss of water pressure, as well as those in parts of Troy, along with homes and businesses in North Greenbush, Poestenkill, and Brunswick. Those who lost water service should anticipate a boil water advisory after service returns.

Businesses, notably the many food service outlets along a stretch of Route 7 east of Oakwood Avenue and up to Duncans Dairy Bar in the town of Brunswick, were being asked to close because water would be running out.

The condition of a dam north of the entrance to Frear Park was being assessed as well.

Fire Chief Eric McMahon said more firefighters were being called in and preparations being made to deal with low water pressure. Police Chief Brian Owens said more officers were being called to the scene to deal with traffic.

Brunswick Supervisor Phil Herrington said the town will be using water from its 1.7 million gallon tank, which is about a day's worth of use. Hoffman's Car Wash on Route 7 was asked to shut down to save water.

"We encouraging everyone to conserve," Herrington said. The town will be checking its equipment in the wake of Troy's break.

The break was affecting the water tank on Tibbits Avenue as well as service to residents in the Sycaway neighborhood on the east side of Burdett Avenue. The break was also impeding water service in the nearby communities of Brunswick, Poestenkill and North Greenbush.

Motorists are asked to seek alternate route, observe detours around Oakwood Avenue. Traffic will detour to Frear Park Road to North Lake Avenue to Liberty Road to Farrell Road.

For up-to-date announcements from City Hall, visit www.troyny.gov/news