LAWRENCE, Ind. — The City of Lawrence has issued a boil water order until further notice, Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield announced on Saturday.
According to Whitfield, the ordinance is in place because a 20-year-old water main broke on Saturday morning. The damaged pipe caused water pressure to drop in some parts of the city.
The city is now using a water supply from the Indian Lake and Richardt Water Treatment Plants.
“Residents should boil their water for a minimum of five minutes before consuming or using it to prepare food,” Whitfield wrote in a prepared statement.
Tom Speer, the City of Lawrence’s Director of Administration, told FOX59/CBS4 the boil order was issued because state laws require local municipalities to test water for bacteria when pipes burst. Speer said, as of now, there is no indication anything is wrong with the water in Lawrence.
“When those pressures go low, IDEM gets concerned that there might be some contamination or something that has gotten in there that could cause a problem with the water,” Speer said. “I don’t believe that there is, but we’re going to do testing on Monday. We’ll check the distribution system, take some samples and make sure everything is good.”
Officials in Lawrence have indicated it is safe for residents to use local tap water to wash their hands or take a shower. Local leaders are still encouraging residents to boil water before drinking it.
Restaurants in Lawrence are also taking precautions while the boil order is in place. Graham Levy of Da Blue Lagoon Jamaican Kitchen said the restaurant’s menu items are cooked hot.
Levy added that Da Blue Lagoon’s ice machine was full before the boil order was issued. Because the machine is connected to the water supply, the restaurant will not have it make any new ice until the boil order is lifted.
“I mean, we just gotta be aware that the advisory is in effect and not do things without taking the necessary precautions,” Levy said. “So, it does change things a little bit, but is doesn’t stop the show.”
In a Facebook post, Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza reported that it will serve its patrons bottled water, fresh-brewed tea, coffee, beer and wine while the boil order is in effect. The restaurant is also buying ice from local retailers to ensure its ice isn’t contaminated.
Levy said he expects foot traffic at Da Blue Lagoon to dip a bit while the boil order is in place.
“It’s gonna impact traffic flow to some extent, but you know there are so many things that have the same effect,” Levy said. “It’s just another ripple in the pond.”
The City of Lawrence indicated that it is working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to monitor the city’s water supply. More information on IDEM can be found at this site.
Lawrence wrote the following additional tips for boil water advisories:
- Use bottled water for drinking, preparing food and brushing teeth. If possible, use ready-to-use baby formula instead of making it with water.
- You can still shower, bathe and wash your hands during a boil water advisory, but be sure not to swallow any of the water. The City of Lawrence suggested giving sponge baths to babies and young children to reduce the risk of them swallowing water.
- Clean surfaces, toys and dishes with boiled or bottled water.
- Give boiled or bottled water to pets rather than tap water.
- Laundry can still be done as normal.
- Gardens and houseplants can still be watered with tap water, including plants you will later eat from.
Lawrence Township Schools confirmed on Sunday that classes will be in session on Monday, despite the boil order that has been issued. District administrators are encouraging students to bring full water bottles with them to school while the boil order is in effect.
Lawrence Township Schools indicated it will make bottled water available for students who forget or are unable to bring water to class.
Administrators reported that Lawrence Township Schools’ food services department can manage the water issue and safely serve students meals during the boil order.
The district’s full statement on the ongoing boil order is available here.
The City of Lawrence is encouraging those with questions about the boil order to call (317) 542-0511.
