Cairo water flowing again, but boil order in effect

CAIRO, Ill. -- Water service was restored to Cairo on Monday after the dropping Ohio River started causing service interruptions Saturday night, but a boil-water order remains in effect.

Full water service was restored early Monday after crews worked overnight Sunday, said Karen Cotton, spokeswoman for Illinois American Water, which manages the city's water system. Water service had gone out for some customers, while others experienced low pressure, starting late Saturday after the Ohio River, from which the system gets its water, dropped three to four feet in a 48-hour period, Cotton said.

The water service problems caused the Cairo school district to close Monday, but classes were expected to resume today, a receptionist at the district office said Monday.

During the service interruptions, Illinois American brought in a tanker truck, bottled water and provided portable toilets to help those without water.

A boil-water order remained in effect Monday, which is required any time water pressure drops below a certain level. Cotton said water customers will be notified when the order is lifted.

But Cotton said she doesn't expect any more service interruptions.

For more information, customers may call Illinois American Water's 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-800-422-2782.

Pertinent address:

Cairo, Ill.