Highwood water service restored; boil order in effect for next 24 hours

HIGHWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- Water service was restored to residents of north suburban Highwood early Tuesday morning after crews worked through the night to repair a broken water main. A boil order is in effect for the next 24 hours.

The major water line burst around 2:30 p.m. Monday in downtown Highwood near Webster and Sheridan because of cold weather, officials said. Water Department Water Supervisor Jeff Harding said the broken main was fixed around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

The 12-inch transmission main connected the treatment plant to the north suburb's main water tower. The break drained the reserve water in the tower, leaving about 5,400 people without water service and flooding the streets Monday afternoon. The standing water was drained by Monday evening.

BOIL ORDER IN EFFECT

For the next 24 hours, residents should boil their water for at least five minutes and allow it to cool before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or washing dishes. Bottled water can be used as a substitute. Officials said affected tap water may be used for bathing and household cleaning.

The water department will test water samples for the next 72 hours to make sure the quality was not compromised by the water main break. The precautionary boil order will be lifted once tests are complete.

Once the boil order is over, residents should flush all water fixtures and wash out any appliances that use standing water, like ice and coffee makers.

For more information, visit the city's website at www.celebratehighwood.com.