Indiana American Water’s Terre Haute District has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for about 3,500 customers after two 8-inch water main breaks along U.S. 41 near Gilchrist Drive disrupted water service to the area this morning, states a release from the external affairs office in Greenwood.
The area affected includes all Indiana American Water customers located south of the Country Club of Terre Haute at U.S. 41 and Allendale Lane. Customers of Sullivan Vigo Rural Water, which uses water from Indiana American Water as its source of supply, also are affected by the boil advisory.
The main breaks significantly reduced pressure for customers in the area. Crews are currently working to isolate and repair the breaks. Customers in the affected area are advised to drink and cook with tap water only after boiling it for five minutes. Tap water can be used for washing/bathing.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) mandates precautionary boil advisories to ensure high-quality water in the event water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch (psi) in any part of a distribution system. According to company officials, boil advisories are issued as a precaution with a customer's best interests in mind. It's possible, but unlikely, bacteria could enter the water system when pressure in the line drops below 20 psi.
During the precautionary boil water advisory, the water company performs a series of tests to determine the water meets regulatory drinking water standards. Precautionary Boil orders usually last from 18 to 24 hours. Samples are taken from several sites within the affected area. Customers are requested to honor the boil advisory until further notice.
Indiana American Water serves about 30,000 customers, or a population of more than 82,000 in its Terre Haute service area.
Customers can call the Indiana American Water Customer Service Center at 1-800-492-8373 for the latest updates.
