A precautionary boil water order snapped into place Sunday for a pocket of Hickory Hills after a pressure valve failure cut water pressure for homes east of 82nd Avenue. Residents in the affected area were told to boil any water they plan to drink or cook with for at least five minutes while tests are run on the system.
According to the City of Hickory Hills, the order was issued around 9:30 a.m. Sunday applies only to addresses east of 82nd Avenue. City officials noted that the water is still considered safe for washing hands and showering, stressing that “only water for consumption should be boiled.” Crews have already submitted samples to an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency laboratory, with results expected in roughly 24 hours, and the city said it pushed out reverse-911 alerts to registered residents while directing anyone with questions to Public Works.
City and local coverage
FOX 32 Chicago aired a brief segment that backed up the city’s advisory, repeating the five-minute boiling guidance and the plan to run tests on the water supply. The station credited the city as its primary source and passed along the same Public Works contact information for residents looking for more details.
What residents should do
If you live in the impacted area, local officials want you to follow their specific order and boil tap water for five minutes before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. For general context, the CDC says bringing water to a full rolling boil for one minute is typically enough to kill harmful pathogens; at elevations above 6,500 feet, the CDC recommends boiling for three minutes. Hickory Hills’ five-minute window is a more conservative local standard. Bottled water is a safe stand-in for drinking and food prep while the boil order is in place.
City officials expect test results in about 24 hours and say they will let residents know as soon as the boil order is lifted, according to the City of Hickory Hills. In the meantime, anyone with immediate questions can call Public Works at (708) 598-7855.
