Southwest IL community searches for cause of water problems. Boil order continues

Glen Carbon remains under a water boil order Monday afternoon as crews continue to search for the cause of water quality problems, according to a news release from the village.

The boil order went into effect last week.

Free bottled water will be provided to village residents at the Public Works building at 153 N. Main St. until 6 p.m. Monday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Glen Carbon received test results from water samples taken Saturday, and nine out of 10 tests passed. One result was “inconclusive” and the water boil order remains in effect.

The village of Glen Carbon, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois American Water began to sample the village’s water infrastructure on Wednesday to determine the location and cause of potential water quality issues due to chlorine levels.

“It was determined that nitrification occurred in some parts of the system. Nitrification is a microbial process that converts ammonia and similar nitrogen compounds into nitrite and then nitrate,” the village stated in its announcement. “Nitrification can occur in water systems that contain chloramines, which is the disinfectant used by our water provider.”

Corrective measures have been implemented, the village said.

Village Public Works crews began targeted hydrant flushing on Monday and residents have been asked to “avoid laundry or other water activities” while crews are flushing a hydrant near your home.

For more information, call the Utility Department at 618-288-2661.

This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 2:07 PM.