A boil order is in effect in multiple Chicago neighborhoods after an issue was reported at the Roseland Pumping Station, officials announced Thursday.
Officials with Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications said pressure for drinking water at the pump was affected between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., potentially impacting parts of the area, including in the Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods.
Andrea Chang, acting commissioner for the Department of Water Management, said the boil order was being issued "out of an abundance of caution" and in consultation with the Illinois EPA as officials run tests.
Locations under the order include buildings east of Sacramento Avenue and north of 119th Street and those west of Interstate 57 to southwest of Beverly Avenue. The boil order is in effect until further notice.
"The Chicago Department of Water Management is conducting a whole investigation into how the incident occurred and will take appropriate steps based on those findings to provide similar situations in the future," Chang said during a press conference Thursday.
Further information on what caused the issue or how long the order would remain in effect was not immediately released. OEMC initially said a power outage was believed to be behind the issue, but ComEd said in a statement that it had not found evidence of a power outage in the area.
“ComEd believes there is no evidence that this was a power outage…At no point was there an interruption to the pumping station," ComEd said in a statement. "Personnel are on site and they are working closely with the city as they investigate and resolve this issue.”
Those under the boil order are being told to take the following precautions before consuming tap water:
- bring water to a full rolling boil for at least five minutes to ensure that it is safe for consumption
- Store boiled water at room temperature or refrigerate in a closed container until needed, including water for drinking, making ice cubes, washing food, making baby formula, washing dishes, brushing teeth, or any other activity involving the consumption of water
The Roseland Pumping Station is located at 351 W. 104th Street and serves the Roseland area.
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It is one of 12 such pumping stations in Chicago, which provide water pressure to businesses, residents and fire systems throughout the city, according to the University of Illinois Chicago.