Boil order lifted for Indiana American Water customers in West Lafayette

WEST LAFAYETTE – Indiana American Water on Monday lifted a 24-hour boil order that had affected nearly 8,700 customers in and around West Lafayette since Sunday afternoon, company officials said Monday.

Joe Loughmiller, spokesman for the private water company, said water samples showed there was no contamination in the distribution system after a loss of pressure during a mechanical malfunction on Sunday.

The problem started Sunday morning with equipment on North Salisbury Street, near Kingston Drive and Leslie Street.

Indiana American Water said water lines were restored and pressure was back to normal by Sunday evening for customers in north and northwestern parts of West Lafayette.

But because of the loss of pressure during the repairs, the company had advised that those in the affected areas that tap water should be boiled for three minutes before being used to drink or cook. Tap water can be used for washing and bathing, the company said.

According to Indiana American Water, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires precautionary boil advisories whenever water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in any part of a distribution system. According to Indiana American Water, “it's possible, but unlikely, bacteria could enter the water system when pressure in the line drops below 20 psi.”

Here’s a map of the areas that had been under a boil order:

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