A precautionary boil order is in place for portions of Cicero after a contractor struck a water main on Thursday, cutting water pressure across several blocks and prompting public health warnings. The advisory covers neighborhoods roughly from 24th Street south to Pershing Road, between Lombard Avenue and just east of Cicero Avenue, and applies to residents who are dealing with low or fluctuating pressure. Until tests clear the system, officials are urging people to treat tap water as potentially unsafe for drinking or food preparation.
According to ABC7 Chicago, the order "impacts anyone who is experiencing water pressure issues" in that area and was issued after the contractor hit the water main on Thursday. ABC7 reports that town officials are telling residents to boil tap water for at least five minutes before using it to drink, wash dishes or brush their teeth.
How long should you boil it?
Federal public health guidance says a full rolling boil for one minute is enough to kill disease-causing organisms in tap water. At elevations above 6,500 feet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends boiling for three minutes. The CDC also notes that boiling does not remove chemical contaminants, which is why bottled water is the preferred choice when it is available.
What local officials must do
Under requirements outlined by the Illinois General Assembly, municipalities that issue boil orders must notify any certified local public health department as soon as practical, and no later than two hours after the order is issued. They then have 24 hours to provide a written notice that spells out the estimated duration and the geographic area affected. That paperwork, along with follow up water testing, is part of how officials determine when it is safe to rescind the advisory.
Practical tips for residents and businesses
If you have bottled water, use it for drinking and cooking. If you do not, bring tap water to a rolling boil, keep it boiling for the recommended time and let it cool before using it. Food service operators, schools and child care providers should stop making ice, toss any existing ice and avoid using auto fill beverage machines until the advisory is lifted, in line with CDC guidance for commercial settings. After officials clear the system, they will typically post instructions on how to flush household plumbing and appliances so that lines are cleared before people go back to normal use.
Context: ongoing water work in town
Cicero is in the middle of a broader infrastructure push this year that includes lead service line replacements and planned water main projects, a backdrop that can mean more excavation related breaks and short term service interruptions. Work that kicked off in April on 48th Court as part of that program was covered in lead pipe removal along 48th Court.
Where to get updates
Residents looking for the latest information should check the Town of Cicero news and public notice pages or follow local TV coverage. Municipal contact details are posted online, and the town lists a main phone number at (708) 656-3600 for non emergency questions.
