Published Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Up to 25 people were affected by the rupture in the Lincoln Court area of the city, which occurred at around 3am on Tuesday.
A pensioner aged in his 70s raised the alarm and families were moved out, as flood water rushed through homes submerging kitchens and living rooms.
Most are staying with relatives, but one family said they have nowhere to go.
"We've presented ourselves to the Housing Executive as being homeless," James Jones told UTV. "If they can't help us we really are in bother.
"We're totally devastated. The children love it up here and to see their toys floating in the living room was heartbreaking."
The leak was so forceful it caused damage to a wall in the back yard of one property. It then gushed in through peoples' back doors, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Tammy Gillam told UTV her house is no longer livable for Abigail, her four month old child, saying: "The house being damp makes it extremely cold, so a four month old cannot stay here."
A statement from NI Water said it took the company 45 minutes to find and turn off the burst main.
"NI Water clean up squads returned in day light hours and are currently on the ground to repair the main, clear up and support local residents at the eight properties affected," it said.
"We realise this has been a difficult experience for the families affected and apologise for the inconvenience we know this has caused."
Repairing the damage will take months, and the bill is expected run into thousands of pounds.