Martins Ferry citizens spent most of Sunday without running water due to a major water line break near the treatment plant.

Work crews labored throughout Sunday to reach the break, which occurred early yesterday about 14 feet underground, according to Mayor Phil Wallace.

He said water would likely remain shut off throughout the night Sunday.

He wasn't sure if service would be restored by morning.

The break was the third in the area since Thursday.

Wallace said the first occurred Thursday, about three blocks away from the site of the current problem.

On Friday night, another break occurred and was repaired.

Those repairs didn't hold, however, and the line broke again early Sunday.

Wallace said water was being pumped from Bridgeport to the south end of Martins Ferry Sunday evening. Also, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club provided bottled water to be distributed to Martins Ferry and Colerain residents. That water is available at the Ladder Station on Fourth Street, the fire station on Center Street, the site of the old Hilltop School and the Sunset Heights Volunteer Fire Department, Wallace noted.

Wallace, who was alongside work crews near the plant late Sunday evening, said he can't say enough about the patience of Ferry residents and the dedication of those working to repair the break.

"We're proud that the citizens are bearing with us," he said.