BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A boil water advisory is still in effect in the city of Battle Creek, officials said during an interview at City Hall Wednesday morning.
They said the advisory is a precautionary measure. It stems from a ‘significant leak on a 16-inch cast iron water main’ near the intersection of Dickman Road and McCamly Avenue.
The water main broke Tuesday night around 8 p.m, they said.
“The pipe was repaired at around 2 o’clock this morning,” said Carl Fedders, city engineer and assistant director of public works. “Crews were still working on other repairs to the storm sewer that were damaged as part of it”
A handful of construction workers were working at the site all day on Wednesday.
Fedders said that some residents experienced low water pressure or not water at all. He believes the water main broke due to the cold weather. So far there has been no evidence of contamination.
“There’s a lot of misinformation that we’re hearing on social media right now,” said City Manager Rebecca Fleury. “So first of all everybody needs to know there’s nothing concerning E-Coli and there’s no sewage related with this leak.”
Fleury said they’re testing for bacteria. However the results will not return until 5 o'clock Thursday morning. At that time is when they will determine whether or not to lift the advisory.
“We fully anticipate that those tests will come back good for us in the morning and we can release it,” she said. “But we’d rather err on the side of caution. So please either use bottled water for drinking and cooking or please boil for one minute just to be safe.”
