UPDATE: Voluntary Boil Order Lifted for 8-Block Area

UPDATE: The boil order has been lifted. The City of St. Charles reported that the Water Division collected samples yesterday and tested for coliform and no bacteria were found. The water is safe and no further boiling is necessary.

The City of St. Charles has issued a voluntary 24-hour boil order for an eight-block area of the city after an early-morning water main break and subsequent repairs resulted in low water pressure.

The city says that no bacteria have been found in the water.

The area extends from the south side of Clark Street (400 block) to the north side of Jefferson Street (100 block) and the west side of South Fourth Street to the east side of Riverside Drive.

The city issued the following instructions:

Your public water system is under a voluntary boil water advisory.  You may need to take the following precautions:

1. Boil water vigorously for three minutes prior to use.  Use only boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth, diluting fruit juices and all other food preparations or consumption.  Use of bottled water may be a feasible, though relatively expensive, alternative to boiling tap water when under a boil water order.
2. Do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker or use any ice made with unboiled water from this system.  Remake ice cubes with water that has been boiled or buy ice.
3. Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
4. Let water cool sufficiently before drinking.

According to a city press release, water used for hand-washing or bathing does not generally need to be boiled.  Supervision of children is necessary while bathing or using backyard pools so water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.