West Cook News

A precautionary boil order has been issued for parts of the Old Town North subdivision, specifically areas west of Central Avenue and south of Oak Street. The order is in effect until 9:00 PM on July 2, 2024, following a water main break near the intersection of Hampton Avenue and Hillgrove Avenue.

The Village explained that boil orders can be triggered when sustained pressure in a water main drops below 20 psi or if there is an inability to verify system pressures adjacent to the event. Due to the significant size of the break at Hillgrove Avenue and Hampton Avenue, verification of system pressure at various locations within the subdivision was not possible.

According to the Village's communication, precautionary boil orders are issued to alert residents about incidents that make the water system more susceptible to external contaminants. It does not mean that the water has tested positive for contamination but serves as a precaution until proper testing is completed.

Residents are advised to boil their water for five minutes and let it cool before consumption. Water can still be used for non-potable purposes such as bathing and washing without boiling. However, it is recommended not to use ice machines or refrigerator-filtered water during this period.

On July 2, Water Division staff will collect samples from the distribution system in Old Town North. If all samples are cleared, the boil order will expire at 9:00 PM as scheduled. No additional "All Clear" message will be posted unless there is a need to extend the boil order beyond this time.