Some southern Ill. residents under boil water order after main break repaired

SOUTHERN Ill. (KFVS) - Some residents in southern Illinois are being told to boil water after a water main has been repaired.

According to Tony Furlow with the Rend Lake Conservancy District, it has lifted its main boil water notice, but individual communities served by the District will continue testing their system before they lift their orders.

Water service was fully restored to all parts of the distribution system of the Rend Lake Conservancy District on Thursday afternoon. Due to the disruption of service, a precautionary boil water order was issued until further notice.

On Thursday, August 10, crews worked to repair a main line that broke at the Rend Lake Water District in Benton.

The line feeds water to all of Du Quoin.

Mayor Josh Downs told us the water main break happened Wednesday.

The boil water orders are creating an unexpected challenge for businesses in the affected areas.

Despite the interruption to the water service in Du Quoin, Abby Ancell, general manager of St. Nicholas Brewing Co., said they are making sure their customers are taken care of as soon as they come through the doors.

“It’s really just a team effort when something like this happens,” said Ancell.

She said her team is adapting to an unusual day.

“When I got the call this morning, we just went and bought a bunch of bottled water, cans of soda, we did boil some water for tea and lemonade,” said Ancell.

Once they were asked to conserve water, they made changes to their brewing schedule too.

“The brew process in general, using the water it has to be a certain kind of water,” she explained. “We have to test the water and we have to keep it at certain levels. So it’s a more delicate process. Luckily, right now, we have two breweries right? So we can brew at our airport location.”

Ancell said customers have been understanding of the challenges posed by the water main break.

“Luckily, you know, everyone is kind of going through it, so customers, guest they understand I think they’re usually pretty kind to us about it,” said Ancell.

The water district serves other areas near the following communities and water systems:

• West City
• Hill City
• Buckner
• Christopher/North City
• Greenwood Creek-Nation
• Mulkeytown
• Tamaroa
• DuQuoin
• Sesser
• Valier
• Zeigler/Cleburne
• Royalton
• Colp
• Cambria

They are also under a boil water order until further notice.

For those under a boil water order, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using bottled water for drinking, preparing food and brushing your teeth.

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