Associated Press - November 6, 2009 2:05 PM ET

MERKEL, Texas (AP) - A boil water notice for Merkel has been lifted after a break in a main was repaired and testing showed the water is safe to drink.

The town dropped the boil water advisory on Friday.

The Taylor County health department advised Merkel, a town of about 2,700 located 16 miles west of Abilene, on results of the water samples taken Thursday.

City manager Kevin Hagan says the 14-inch water main broke Tuesday morning and a boil water advisory was issued later in the day.

Hagan says work was previously scheduled to replace the more than 50-year-old water main and that most of the new line is in place. The switchover is expected to be finished by late November.

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