LOOGOOTEE, Ind. — The City of Loogootee Water Works Department issued a precautionary boil water order Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, for a section of Walnut Street following emergency repairs on a water main leak.

According to Public Works Superintendent Daniel Shoultz, the advisory directly affects all municipal water customers situated on Walnut Street from Poplar Street west to the dead end.

The precautionary order was enacted after maintenance work caused water pressure in the line to fall below 20 pounds per square inch. Under Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regulations, all public water utilities must issue a boil order whenever water pressure drops below this critical threshold.

City officials advise affected residents to follow specific safety protocols once water pressure is restored to their taps:

• Flush Lines: Run cold water from a household sink or bathtub until the flow runs completely clear.
• Boil Consumption Water: Bring all water intended for drinking, cooking, and oral hygiene to a vigorous, rolling boil for a full five minutes before use.
• General Use: Water does not need to be boiled for laundry, dishwashing machines, or other non-ingestive domestic tasks.

The Water Works Department is currently collecting required water samples to confirm system safety and compliance with IDEM standards. The precautionary advisory will remain active until lab sample results clear the system.

Official notice lifting the advisory will be distributed through local news media outlets and published on the city’s official Facebook page once laboratory clearance is obtained. Customers seeking additional information may contact the Loogootee Public Works Department office at 812-295-2497 or 812-295-1000.

Immediate Resident Action Checklist

1. Flush Home Plumbing: Run cold taps until clear as soon as line service pressure returns.
2. Boil Timer: Set a timer for five full minutes of active rolling boil for any water used in food preparation, making ice, brushing teeth, or drinking.
3. Status Monitoring: Check the City of Loogootee Facebook page or monitor local media reports for lab clearance updates before resuming unboiled tap water use.

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF LOOGOOTEE UTILITIES: