A precautionary directive for Lake Forest residents to boil water ended early Sunday after tests confirmed the city’s water supply met all public health standards, officials announced.
The city issued the boil order Friday afternoon after a water main break on Westleigh Road caused water pressure to fall below acceptable levels in parts of the city, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The order was rescinded on Sunday when testing showed tap water was safe for drinking, cooking, and other household uses.
As an additional precaution, the city suggested residents to run both hot and cold water taps for five minutes — starting with the lowest faucet in the home, such as a basement or lower-level sink — to flush out any water that remained in pipes or water heaters during the boil order.
The city also recommended discarding any ice made while the boil order was in effect. Once the order was lifted, residents were advised to allow their ice makers to produce a new batch and then discard it before resuming normal use.
For homes with water filters connected to the affected supply, the city said residents should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or replacing the filters.
As an added suggestion, residents may run a hot water tap for several minutes to refresh water in their heater tanks, though the city noted this step is typically unnecessary.
The cause of the water main break remains under investigation.
“Water main breaks are not uncommon, and in most cases they can be repaired without affecting water quality,” the city said in a statement. “In this instance, the break occurred in a transmission line—a main pipe that carries water throughout the system—necessitating additional precautions.”
