Boil order issued in Pingree Grove

A boil order was issued Friday in Pingree Grove after bacteria were found in the water, village officials said.

"Total coliform or E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply ..." a post on the village's website said. "These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems."

Village Clerk Dawn Grivetti said village hall was informed about the issue about noon Friday. Roughly 3,500 boil order notices were being hand-delivered to residents Friday afternoon, she said.

One of seven samples taken in the village showed the presence of total coliform, the notice says. People must boil water before drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food.

The village will continue sampling until two consecutive tests show no presence of bacteria and the water no longer needs to be boiled, Grivetti said. Officials anticipate resolving the problem within 48 hours.

The notice says bacterial contamination can take place "when increased runoff enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains)" or "due to a break in the distribution system (pipes), a failure in the water treatment process, or through a cross-connection."

The village had been operating on one well after its other well failed a bacteria test and was shut off, Director of Public Works Pat Doherty told the village board on Monday.

The board approved an agreement with Municipal Well and Pump, Inc. to chlorinate the shut off well at a cost not to exceed $14,000. Chlorination was expected to fix the problem but there wasn't a 100 percent guarantee, Doherty said.

"My understanding from Director Doherty is that this issue has nothing to do with the chlorination of well No. 2," Grivetti said Friday.

Illinois environmental regulations require monthly water testing, village officials said.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "A water sample is unsafe, present or total coliform positive if coliform bacteria are found in the sample. Generally coliforms are bacteria that are not harmful and are naturally present in the environment. They are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, fecal bacteria (indicated by the E. coli species) could be present."