Boil order to last at least through Wednesday

Washington residents should expect the boil order to last at least through Wednesday. City Administrator Dave Plyman said samples of the water will be taken today and sent to the State Hygienic Lab in Iowa City to test for pathogens. The city will send several water samples from various locations in town. The boil order will be lifted when all tests come back clean.

Plyman also said that the water towers are now full, although the city is still trying to fight through a few other problems such as a bad motor in one of its wells and small leaks in some of the water valves.

The boil order was announced Sunday afternoon after three water mains broke over the weekend. The breaks completely drained the water towers, which resulted in very low water pressure. When the water pressure is lowered, bacteria can enter the water supply. Until the city knows that the water is clean, it should be boiled before consumption.