Parts of Schererville are under a precautionary boil water advisory after residents in the early morning hours found their faucets sputtering or completely dry. The advisory affects homes and businesses south of U.S. 30 and east of Cline Avenue, where reports of low or no water pressure started coming in Tuesday morning. Town crews moved quickly to track down the problem, and officials say water samples are now being taken to make sure tap water is safe to drink.
Town issues precautionary advisory
Public Works told FOX 32 Chicago that crews were dispatched around 5:45 a.m. after multiple calls about low pressure. The issue was traced to a failure in the town’s SCADA telemetry system, which allowed distribution pressure to fall below the required minimum of 20 pounds per square inch.
The Schererville Water Department is calling the advisory precautionary and stated, “We have no reason to believe there has been any contamination to your water supply.” While testing is underway, officials are asking residents in the affected area to ease up on lawn irrigation so the system can stabilize.
Why does the drop trigger a boil advisory
State rules kick in when water pressure drops below 20 psi, because low pressure can create openings for contaminants to enter the system. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management spells out the notification and testing steps utilities must follow after a loss of pressure, including bacteriological sampling before any advisory is lifted. The process is designed to protect public health while crews fix the equipment and verify the water is safe.
How to protect your household
Until testing is complete, officials recommend bringing any water used for drinking or for pets to a rolling boil for at least five minutes. Showers and laundry are considered safe, so daily routines do not have to grind to a halt, but residents are advised not to use tap water for ice, baby formula, or food preparation until authorities clear the system.
The Schererville Water Department told FOX 32 Chicago it expects “passing results” by Thursday.
Past advisories show that quick fixes are typical
Schererville issued a similar precaution for the same area in August 2025 after another SCADA-related pressure drop. Town records show that the earlier advisory was lifted once testing confirmed the water was safe. That track record suggests the current advisory may be short-lived once normal pressure is restored and sample results come back clean.
Residents with questions can call Schererville Public Works at 219-322-6688 or check the Town of Schererville website for updates. Officials say they will notify affected customers when testing clears the system and the advisory is lifted.
