Boil water advisory in Grand Ledge could be lifted Saturday

GRAND LEDGE - Officials should know by Saturday if the city's water supply was contaminated when a water main broke near East River and Franklin streets on Thursday afternoon.

About a third of the city's more than 7,000 residents, those who live on the north side of the Grand River, were affected. They were advised to boil their tap water before cooking or drinking it shortly after the break was discovered.

Mayor Kalmin Smith said the break happened during construction and was repaired quickly but it could have impacted the water supply.

Smith said residents in the affected area can bathe in the water but should not consume it "unless they boil it first."

He said city staff sent two water samples that were drawn on Thursday afternoon to a Department of Environmental Quality lab for testing. The results of the first sample were found to be clear of contamination, Smith said.

A second test is required to ensure the water is safe for consumption. Those results are expected back by 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

"We're pretty optimistic," Smith said. "But we have to do this to make sure it's safe."

"If the tests indicate that water is safe for use, the advisory will be lifted and residents will be notified," officials said in a notice on the city's website Friday.

For up-to-date information, visit the city's website at www.cityofgrandledge.com.

Contact Reporter Rachel Greco at (517) 528-2075 or rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ.