The Village of Lake Bluff issued a precautionary boil order early Wednesday for its water customers due to a drop in the community’s water pressure, according to Village Administrator Drew Irvin.
Irvin noted officials noticed the irregularity in the water pressure level, leading to the boil order.
“When it gets below a certain threshold of 20 psi, as a precautionary measure we have to issue a boil order to ensure customers’ safety and health,” Irvin said.
Irvin said Illinois Environmental Protection Agency procedures require water samples to be within normal limits before the boil order can be rescinded. He sensed the earliest that could occur is in the very early hours of Thursday morning.
The factors leading to the water pressure problem are still under investigation, Irvin noted.
In the meantime, customers are advised to boil water for drinking and cooking, but they can take wash their hands or take a shower.
The boil order does not include Lake Bluff’s Sanctuary subdivision on Waukegan Road, as the housing complex is on North Chicago’s water system.
The boil order’s impact is affecting all village stakeholders.
“It will force some restaurants to switch some operations up to deal with it,” Irvin said.
Lake Bluff Park District Executive Director John Bealer said activities and programming are continuing as normal today, but changes could be made if the water supply stops. That includes day camp for local children.
Bealer added that bottled water is being provided as access is cut off to the various drinking fountains.
“We’re dealing with it and making it work,” he said.
District 65 Superintendent Lisa Leali said the drinking fountains are disabled at Lake Bluff Elementary School, where approximately 60 children are enrolled in summer classes.
Leali said families were asked to have children bring bottled water ahead of school this morning. However, the district is providing water and hand sanitizer to students.
“We are monitoring the situation and taking direction from the village and public health officials,” she said.
A Lake Forest spokeswoman said her community has not encountered similar issues with the city’s water pressure.
Irvin, the village administrator, suggested residents view the village’s website at www.lakebluff.org for immediate updates and can sign up at smart911.com to receive emergency updates on this and other matters.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.