Water system repairs are required from time to time, and in some cases, it is necessary to shut down portions of the water main to make necessary repairs. When this occurs, a precautionary boil order advisory is issued for the health and safety of our residents. During this time, the affected residents and businesses will receive a Red Notice. The precautionary boil order advisory will remain in effect until laboratory sampling confirms the water is safe for consumption.

Once the water sample tests clear of coliforms, the affected residents or businesses will receive a second notification, known as a Green Notice. This states the precautionary boil order advisory has been lifted. Generally, this process can take 24-36 hours after the Red Notice is issued.

Examples of Village Notices

Red Notice: Precautionary Boil Order Advisory is in Effect

Green Notice: Precautionary Boil Order Advisory is No Longer Required

Please note for large-scale precautionary boil order advisories, additional village alerts and communications maybe used to alert the public.

What is a localized precautionary boil order advisory?

A localized precautionary boil order advisory is meant to inform water customers in a specific area that conditions exist that may require them to boil tap water for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing food or dishes, or brushing teeth. For these activities, while under a precautionary boil order advisory, water customers are advised to use bottled water or tap water that has been brought to a rolling boil for five minutes and sufficiently cooled for consumption.

A precautionary boil order advisory does NOT mean the water system contains outside material. It only means that conditions existed that may have introduced outside material into the water system, and you are advised to take appropriate precautions until you have been informed that the precautionary boil order advisory has been lifted.

Precautionary Boil Order Advisory FAQs

Temporary Water Shutoff - What You Should Do

From time to time, the Village may need to temporarily shut off water service to perform maintenance or make emergency repairs. To prepare for a water shutoff, residents are encouraged to:

• Fill a bathtub or a few clean containers with water in advance for basic needs such as flushing toilets or handwashing.
• Limit water use during the shutoff to prevent air or debris from entering your plumbing.
• After water service is restored, run cold water from a faucet for a few minutes to flush the lines before normal use.

These simple steps can help reduce inconvenience during temporary water service interruptions.  

Why is a localized precautionary boil order advisory issued?

A precautionary boil order advisory is issued due to a water main break or maintenance activity that has caused the water system to become more susceptible to outside material due to a localized loss in water pressure. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Rules and Regulations call for the issuance of a precautionary boil order advisory when the pressure in a water main drops below 20 psi.

What is the difference between a precautionary boil order advisory and a mandatory boil order?

A precautionary boil order advisory is simply a public notice advising customers to boil tap water before consumption. Precautionary boil orders advisories are issued when an event, such as a water main break or maintenance activity has occurred and certain repair criteria could not be met, therefore allowing for the possibility of the water to become susceptible to outside materials. A precautionary boil order advisory does not mean that the water system contains outside material. It only means that conditions existed that potentially introduced outside material into the system. Because the water quality is unknown, customers are advised to take the appropriate precautions before consuming the the water, until it is properly tested and confirmed to not have any coliforms. Under these circumstances, issuance of the precautionary boil order advisory is required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. A mandatory boil order is issued if testing of the water system reveals contamination.

What should I do if I get a red notice?

Customers in the area who experienced the service outage should boil water for at least five (5) minutes then sufficiently cool it before consumption or using for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing food or dishes, or brushing teeth.

What if I drank water already?

Follow the recommendations in this FAQ about using your water until the precautionary boil order advisory has been lifted. In the unlikely event you become ill, contact your health care provider.

Can my pets drink the water during a precautionary boil order advisory?

Pets can get sick from many of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Before providing water to pets, it is advised that you bring tap water to a rolling boil for five minutes and then allow for sufficient cooling or provide your pet with bottled water.

Can I wash my hands with the water during a precautionary boil order advisory?

The Cook County Department of Public Health recommends that either bottled water or water boiled for 5 minutes and then cooled should be used for hand washing. When this is not practical, it is recommended that tap water is used to wash and rinse, then followed up with the use of hand sanitizer.

Can I bathe in the water during a precautionary boil order advisory?

Yes, it is safe to shower or bathe in the water. It is only recommended that the tap water is not consumed unless it is brought to a rolling boil for five minutes and then sufficiently cooled.

It is recommended that children do not put the tap water in their mouth when they are bathing. When bathing infants, it is recommended to use extra precaution. The Cook County Department of Public Health recommends the use of bottled water or water that has been brought to a rolling boil for 5 minutes and sufficiently cooled for use.

Do I need to flush out my water system following a precautionary boil order advisory?

No, you do not need to flush out your water system. Although, it is recommended that you follow the instructions from the Engineering & Public Works Department until the precautionary boil order advisory is lifted.

Who can I contact with questions about the precautionary boil order advisory?

Please call the village’s Engineering and Public Works Department (847) 923-6612 with questions or concerns during regular business hours or dial 311 in the village or (847) 895-4500 after hours for assistance.