12 Water Mains Break Overnight in Elmhurst

Elmhurst, IL - One Elmhurst water main break around 12:30 a.m. June 17 led to 11 more breaks around the northern part of the city after crews took the water tower at Armitage and Walnut out of service for inspection.

Update, 12:30 p.m.: Four of the 12 water main break repairs have been completed, the city reports. Only properties with a red door hanger need to follow the precautionary boil order.

The city reports the quality of the water is not affected, but some properties near the water main breaks may have their water turned off so crews can make repairs.

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A hand-delivered red notice will be given out at properties where water will be turned off, according to the city. A city-wide boil order is not required.

Three city crews and contractor crews working to repair the breaks estimate their work will be finished before 5 p.m. June 17.

The water tower at Armitage and Walnut is scheduled to be painted, so the city needed to drain water from the tower so it could be inspected internally before bidding documents for the paint job are made.

The tower stores water and relieves pressure fluctuations in the city's water system, according to the city. City crews installed a pressure relief device to regulate water system pressures before taking the tower out of service.

The first water main break took place on Larch Avenue, the city reports. The city's automated pumping system saw the break as high water flow, so it turned other pumps on, which increased pressure in the water system and caused 11 more water main breaks around the northern part of Elmhurst. City staff responded and manually regulated the water system pressure.

"While at no time the quality of the water was impacted, property owners who have had their water shut off to make the repair will be given notice of a precautionary boil order, per IEPA regulations," according to the city.

Water samples will be analyzed at a certified lab, and green notices will be handed out in affected areas to tell people when the boil order is lifted.

The city states the earliest results could come back from the lab would be late Saturday afternoon or evening.

Check back for updates.

Main image via shutterstock.