Highwood residents without water after major main break

HIGHWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- Crews are working overnight to restore water service to residents in north surburban Highwood after a major water main break Monday afternoon.

A major water line burst around 2:30 p.m. in downtown Highwood near Webster and Sheridan because of the cold weather, officials said.

The broken line connected the treatment plant to Highwood's main water tower, and the break essentially drained all of the reserve water in the tower. The street flooding has been drained, but now all Highwood residents - about 5,400 people - are without water service.

"Obviously the residents and the businesses, we're sorry for the inconvenience, but again, because of the proximity of the break, and being that it's a major transmission main, there's just nothing we could do," said Jeff Harding, Highwood Water Dept.

Water department officials said they expect to have water restored to residents by Tuesday morning.

A boil order will be in effect once water is restored.