Crews worked throughout the night to replenish the water system in suburban Skokie after a water main break left parts of the city flooded Friday.
The water system is refilling and water pressure is increasing as of Saturday morning, but a boil order is still in effect for Skokie residents, according to an emergency alert on the village’s website. This means residents are advised to boil all water for at least five minutes before using it, or use bottled water instead.
The water main broke near Emerson Street and East Prairie Road, and crews isolated the part that failed, allowing them to begin replenishing the water system around 9 p.m. Friday. Once the pressure reaches minimum levels, which is expected Saturday afternoon, samples will be taken and sent to the Environmental Protection Agency. The boil order will remain in effect through this process.
Residents are advised to avoid non-essential water usage until the issue is resolved. The village is providing free bottled water at Sketchbook Brewing, 4901 Main St., until noon or while supplies last. Warming shelters are also available for residents at Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave., and Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St. in Evanston.
The cause of the break is still unclear, but city crews were investigating a minor water main break hours before at the same site, according to city officials.
Parts of Evanston were also under a boil order due to the break.
Friday afternoon, parts of Skokie were flooded and residents waded through calf-deep water to assess the situation and try to unclog manhole covers.
“I’m so afraid because it’s so cold,” Elvir Dizdarevic told the Sun-Times Friday. “They shut down the water. What is going to happen with the pipes in the house? Because there is no flow.”
Saturday appointments at Skokie Hospital and some of its clinics in Skokie and Evanston will be rescheduled. The walk-in clinic at Skokie Hospital has been relocated to Glenbrook Hospital Saturday and outpatient radiology, pharmacy and lab services will be closed Saturday.
City officials ordered all affected restaurants to close. Westfield Old Orchard and popular restaurant EJ’s Place remained closed Saturday due to the break.