Crews are continuing their cleanup effort today after a water main broke underneath Merrick Road in Bellmore.

The 12-inch cast-iron pipe cracked at around 11 a.m. Friday morning, creating traffic congestion and cutting off water for businesses on Merrick Road. 

Officials from American Water say causes for the break include the age of the pipe and recent drop in temperature.

Twenty businesses were left without water, leaving some to improvise so they could stay open. Employees at the De La Mer Salon and Spa ended up going to La Piazza in Merrick to buy 5-gallon bottles of water to wash clients' hair with.

Crews turned the water back on at around 10 p.m. Friday night.