Water Safety Notice for Hyde Park

Update, August 30, 3:55 p.m.: The Chicago Department of Water Management has lifted the water boil order that affected parts of Hyde Park. For additional information, click here

 

 

The Chicago Department of Water Management has notified the University and nearby residents of a water safety issue that requires tap water to be boiled before it is consumed. Affected areas include all campus, business and residential buildings in the area extending from 56th Street in the north to 59th Street in the south, and from Dorchester Ave. in the east to Cottage Grove Ave. in the west.

 

The order was issued the morning of Saturday, Aug. 29, and will remain in effect until at least Sunday morning, Aug. 30, as quality tests are completed. The University will provide updates as we learn more.

 

The issue arose Friday evening when a contractor working for the city's Department of Water Management was performing a water main installation in the 1100 block of East 57th Street. The water main was not properly flushed before being connected and put into service. The Department of Water Management worked to properly flush and sanitize the new main. But to be certain that this does not produce a safety issue, the Department issued a boil order.

 

Under a boil order, water must be heated to a rolling boil for at least five minutes before it can be consumed. The order applies to water for drinking, making ice cubes, washing foods, washing dishes, brushing teeth, or any other activity involving consumption of water.

 

For more information, residents and members of the University community can call the City of Chicago's non-emergency number at 311 or 312-744-5000.