The burst water pipe is in Narborough Road, according to Severn Trent Water. Engineers are on the scene working to fix it and restore water to the affected areas.
Severn Trent CEO Liv Garfield says in the company's 30 year history, they have never seen water usage at these levels.
Severn Trent Water say the burst water pipe affects "a very large area" including Ripley, Belper, Alfreton and Ilkeston.