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Boil order for South County lifted

A boil order is in effect for abou 8,000 Missouri American Water customers in south St. Louis until further notice because of a water main break.
(via Flickr/Sterlic)
A boil order is in effect for abou 8,000 Missouri American Water customers in south St. Louis until further notice because of a water main break.

Updated at 2:05 p.m. July 3:

As of 1:30 p.m., the boil order that had been in effect for 8,000 Missouri American Water customers in south St. Louis County was lifted. The utility is recommending that customers in the affected area flush their plumbing by letting faucets run for a few minutes.

The affected ZIP codes were:

  • St. Louis County portions of 63026
  • St. Louis County portions of 63049
  • Portions of 63088 that are south of the Meramec River.

Our earlier story:

Missouri American Water is asking that about 8,000 of its customers who live south of Interstate 44 and west of the Meramec River boil their water before using because of a water main break.

The utility says the precautionary boil order was prompted by the break of a 12-inch main at Rudder Rd. and Larkin Williams in Fenton. It will be in effect until at least tomorrow.

Missouri American officials say customers in the area should bring water being used for cooking or drinking to a rolling boil three minutes before consuming it. Water being used for washing or bathing does not need to be boiled.

Repairs on the water main were expected to take about two hours. Boil orders are traditionally in effect until water quality tests show it's safe for consumption - usually about 24-36 hours after repairs are finished.

Rachel is the justice correspondent at St. Louis Public Radio.