All O’Fallon Water Customers Under a Boil Order Until Further Notice - August 28, 2019

O’Fallon, Illinois – All City of O’Fallon water customers, including those in O’Fallon and Fairview Heights, are under a boil order until further notice. The boil order has been ordered by Illinois American Water Company, the private company in which the City of O’Fallon purchases water from.

Illinois American has issued the boil order after a contractor working at their Metro East water treatment plant hit a 24-inch water main, causing a drop in water pressure and resulting in a boil water order.

This boil water order is being issued in accordance with Illinois EPA regulations. Anytime water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in any part of a distribution system, a boil order must be issued as a precaution to protect customers.

During a boil water order, water customers should take the following measures to protect themselves from consuming potentially contaminated water:

1. Bottled water should be used for drinking, cooking, washing fresh fruits / vegetables, hand washing and tooth brushing.
2. The affected tap water can be used for these purposes but only after it has been brought to a rolling boil for 5 minutes.
3. The affected tap water may be used for bathing or showering.
4. The affected tap water may be used for household cleaning.

NOTE:  If the tap water is cloudy and / or contains particles, bottled water should be used.

After the boil water order is lifted or water service resumes, these precautionary measures should be followed:

1. Flush the building’s water lines and clean faucet screens.
2. Purge the water-using fixtures and appliances of standing water and ice, such as refrigerator ice makers or coffee makers.

Please visit www.ofallon.org for updates.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact O’Fallon Public Works at 618-624-4500 x3.