Water boil order lifted for downtown Elkhart

UPDATE: As of Thursday evening, the boil order has been cancelled. All restrictions on the consumption of Elkhart water are removed.

ORIGINAL STORY: 

ELKHART, Ind. - A water boil order has been issued as a precautionary measure in a section of downtown Elkhart following a water main break in the area.

The boil order will be in effect until lifted. The city anticipates that lift happening later Thursday night but cannot accurately predict at this time.

Community members in the following areas should boil their water for at least three minutes before ingesting it:

• West Lexington Avenue from the St. Joseph River through South 2nd Street
• West High Street from Franklin Court through South 2nd Street
• Franklin Street from Franklin Court through South 2nd Street
• West Marion Street from Franklin Court through South 2nd Street
• Harrison Street from Franklin Court through South 2nd Street
• South 5th Street from West Lexington Avenue to Harrison Street
• South 4th Street from West Lexington Avenue to Harrison Street
• South 3rd Street from West Lexington Avenue to Harrison Street
• South 2nd Street from West Lexington Avenue to Harrison Street
• Vistula Street from West High Street to Jackson Place

City of Elkhart

Restaurants in the affected area can call the Elkhart County Health Department at 574-875-3391 with questions or concerns.

Health-related questions should be directed toward a local healthcare provider or the health department.

Any other questions can be deferred to the Public Works Administrative Office at 574-293-2572.

Until then, the city offers the following tips on when residents should use bottled or boiled water:

• Only consume bottled water or water that’s been boiled for at least three minutes
• Only wash dishes and fruits/vegetables with bottled or boiled water
  • Home dishwashers can’t be guaranteed to kill organisms that could be in the water
  • Make ice cubes out of bottled or boiling water
• Wash hands/brush teeth with bottled or boiled water
  • If you cannot boil water to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer right after washing
• Residents can shower/bathe in water that hasn’t been boiled
  • Do not ingest that water
• Clothes can be washed in water that hasn’t been boiled
• Animals can be given water that hasn’t been boiled, as they aren’t affected by contaminants like people are
• Only use bottled or boiled water to make coffee
• Water heaters don’t need to be drained