LINCOLN, Neb. -- A previously broken pipe at the Nebraska State Penitentiary has been fixed.

A pipe that broke on Friday was officially fixed on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The four housing units that were affected are fully operational again with water and steam.

A broken water pipe has caused four housing units to be placed on modified operations at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Contractors immediately arrived at the facility this afternoon to address the issue, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. NDCS also said portable restrooms and bottled water have been brought to the penitentiary for those who are affected.

“The cause of the break has not yet been identified,” said Diane Sabatka-Rine, interim director at NDCS. “The water and steam have been shut off to the housing units, shop areas and other support buildings. Meals will continue to be provided and served on Styrofoam trays, since the water is off.”

Approximately 600 inmates are impacted, who are housed in the four minimum-custody housing units. Digging has started in the area of the break. Once identified, repairs will begin.

“We hope to have water restored tomorrow,” said NSP Warden Michele Wilhelm. “Admittedly, that will depend on identifying the initial break and insuring no other leaks happen as the water is restored, which can sometimes occur with older pipes.”

She said if the water outage does last longer, steps will be taken to ensure inmates have restrooms, fresh bottled water and if necessary, showers in another location.