St. Clair County, IL (KTRS) Dozens of metro-east communities are under a boil order.
Illinois American Water Company issued the order after widespread water main breaks due to the frigid temperatures. The impacted areas are in St. Clair County, impacting about 150,000 customers.
In addition, Illinois American Water’s water quality team will be switching treatment to a form of chlorine known as “free chlorine,” which does not contain ammonia. According to Karen Cooper, senior manager of field operations and production, the continuous cold weather has caused an increase in water main breaks and resulted in a loss of pressure across Illinois American Water’s distribution system, resulting in necessary changes to water service.
Affected residents should bring their water to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. Residents are also asked to conserve water while crews make repairs and changes to the water treatment plant.
The boil order is issued for the following communities:
Belleville
East St. Louis
Centreville
Brooklyn
Fairmont City
Sauget
Shiloh
Washington Park
Alorton
Cahokia (from Commonfields of Cahokia PWD)
Swansea
Canteen Township
St. Clair Township
Stookey Township
Smithton Township
Sale-for-resale customers (wholesale) include:
Scott Air Force Base
O’Fallon – (O’Fallon provides water to Fairview Heights)
Caseyville
Millstadt
Metro-East Municipal Joint Action Water Agency (Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water District & City of Columbia)
Waterloo
Customers may get updates online at www.amwater.com/ilaw/
