Human error leads to boil order in Fox River Grove

Human error caused multiple water main breaks in Fox River Grove that resulted in a boil order until at least Friday, officials said.

The three water main breaks, in the 900 block of South River Road, the 700 block of Highview Drive and the 800 block of Northwest Highway, took place between 4 p.m. and midnight Wednesday, Superintendent of Public Works Jon Huizinga said.

Crews worked overnight to repair the breaks by about 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The first news alert about the mandatory water boil was sent out at about 3:30 a.m. Water samples were sent for laboratory testing, Huizinga said.

In the meantime, residents are asked to boil drinking water for five minutes and allow the water to cool “until satisfactory water quality results have been received” as per EPA regulations, Police Chief Ron Lukasik said in the alert. “Hopefully we will be able to lift the order on Friday,” he said.

Huizinga said the problems were caused by staff who opened and closed water main valves as part of routine summer maintenance. “One was shut, one was partially open, that was the cause,” he said. This is the first time a problem like this has taken place in Fox River Grove, he said.

For questions, call Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Tim Zintl at (847) 639-8360 or village hall at (847) 639-3170.