ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — If you live in Rock Island, you may have noticed a recent series of boil orders.
Rock Island Utilities Superintendent Jason Upton said the number of boil orders they have issued lately has been normal.
"We usually average about four breaks a month, which seems like a lot, but we have aging infrastructure as well as all the other municipals in the Quad Cities area," Upton said.
The aging infrastructure includes the oldest water mains in Rock Island, which were installed in 1895. Upton said that one water main break can lead to more.
"It all depends on how many water main breaks we have or how many repairs we have," Upton said. "Sometimes a water main break will lead to other water main breaks."
The City of Rock Island samples water from the homes near the water main breaks, in a protocol that lasts 24 hours. This testing is when they see the measure of bacteria in the water.
Upton said the city puts papers on people's doors, letting them know the boil order will take place and the reason for the protocol.
"But we do our best to try to notify residents when we'll have an upcoming repair," Upton said. "If it's an emergency repair, like a main break, then our crews will go out and they distribute the pamphlets on the doors."
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