Residents on Indianapolis' east side can now drink tap water without boiling it first, as the boil water advisory issued by Citizens Energy Group has been lifted. The warning followed a significant water main break at 22nd Street and Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue. Despite the end of the advisory, some may still experience lower water pressures until the full repair of the damage, according to a statement obtained by FOX59.
The boil water order was a necessary precaution imposed to ensure resident safety after Thursday's water main rupture, which led the utility to not only initially alter service but to verify also that water quality within the distribution system wasn't compromised. IndyStar reported that while Citizens claimed the water quality it was producing remained safe during the event, the loss of pressure that was widespread necessitated additional checks.
In an announcement reported by WISH-TV, Citizens Energy Group stated that testing required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management confirmed the safety of the drinking water. However, the water main break caused much more than a scare of contaminated water; it inflicted substantial physical damage as well. 22nd Street will remain closed to traffic for the next week for repairs, a situation that continues to disrupt daily commutes.
One of those heavily affected by the flooding is Dillon Amonet, whose story of his damaged vehicle paints a somber picture of the aftermath. His car was submerged in over two feet of water, resulting in electrical shorts and extensive mess. Amonet told WISH-TV, "My whole car was swamped with two and a half feet of water at least. It’s shorted. I tried to get in it. It shorted out." His car's interior was coated with mud, and the heated seats ceased to work, adding more strain to his recent personal losses.
Citizens Energy Group has extended their apologies for the inconveniences caused by the water outages and boil orders. "Customer safety is of the utmost importance at Citizens. We know water outages and boil orders are inconvenient, and we deeply appreciate customers' patience and cooperation over the past few days," the company communicated, as professed by WISH-TV. As repairs continue, the impact on affected residents and businesses might yet to fully unravel.
