What’s a boil water advisory? East side Indianapolis area has one for 48 hours after main break

A water main break near 22nd Street and Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue has led Citizen Energy Group to issue a boil water advisory for the east side of Indianapolis.

Customers should boil their water before using for drinking or cooking until the advisory is lifted, which will last through at least noon on Saturday, March 29.

Why is there a boil water advisory?

The utility issued the advisory after the water main break that occurred just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

While Citizens Energy said the water quality it is producing has remained safe during the event, the widespread loss of pressure has resulted in it taking additional precautions to verify water quality in the distribution system was not adversely affected.

What area in Indianapolis is affected by the boil water advisory?

The advisory applies to the following areas:

• Northern Bound: Fall Creek Parkway North Drive
• Southern Bound: CSX railroad tracks south of Southeastern Avenue
• Eastern Bound: Shadeland Avenue to the north of Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington Avenue and Edmondson Street to the south
• Western Bound: South Arsenal Avenue and Spruce Street

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What to do in a boiled water advisory

• Do not consume the water without boiling it first.
• Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that could be present in the water.
• Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for three minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
• Water can be used for showering, cleaning and flushing without boiling.

What if you’ve already consumed water in the boil water advisory area?

This is a precautionary boil water advisory.

Citizens Energy company said it has no indications that the water quality was unsafe. However, it is important to boil water used for consumption until the advisory is lifted.

Who is more at risk?

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants and elderly individuals may be at increased risk and should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

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How to know when the boil water advisory is over

Crews are on-site and making repairs, and updates will be posted on Citizens Energy’s social media accounts and shared with media outlets.

Customers in the boil water advisory area may have water restored sooner but are advised to boil their water until Citizens lifts this precautionary boil water advisory.

For more information, contact Citizen’s contact center at 317-924-3311 or visit info.citizensenergygroup.com.