Pipe break drains southern Illinois village's water system

SIMS, Ill. (AP) - Volunteers have been distributing bottled water around a southern Illinois community after a water main break left its taps dry.

The leak in the Wayne County village of Sims was discovered on Monday and soon drained its water tower. Village Mayor Dava Austin tells WSIL-TV that crews suspect a water pipe running underneath the Skillet Fork River was damaged as the river swelled during the weekend's heavy rain.

Village board member Lois Moyer says volunteers have focused on getting water to the elderly and disabled among the some 300 residents in the community about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis.

Austin says she's thankful for water donations as crews aren't certain when repairs will be completed.

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Information from: WSIL-TV, http://www.wsiltv.com