Major Freeport water-main break prompts citywide boil order; officials expect test results within 24–48 hours

City utility staff reported a major water‑main break on a 12‑inch spun‑cast main on Cottonwood that triggered a citywide boil order and a rapid response by operations crews.

City Manager Boyer said the failure was detected early by the newly installed I‑hydrant monitoring system, which began reporting low pressure around 6:50 a.m. "According to Randy Klobucar, our regulatory and compliance officer, the event began unfolding at approximately 6:50 a.m. when the I‑hydrant system began reporting low pressure at multiple locations," Boyer said. Crews moved quickly to isolate the line and throttle flow to reduce water loss.

Because of pressure loss and as a public‑health precaution, a precautionary boil order was issued for the entire city while staff completed bacteriological sampling. Manager Boyer said the water was back on by about 1:00 p.m., but the testing protocol requires about 26 samples; staff expected results by mid‑day the following day, with the possibility of a later result if resampling is needed: "In a best‑case scenario, you should know by 3:00 tomorrow. In a worst‑case scenario, it'll be 3:00 on Wednesday," he said.

Boyer and other staff commended coordinated work among operations, plant and communications staff, and noted the event underscores the presence of older spun‑cast pipe throughout the distribution system. Officials urged residents to follow boil‑order guidance for drinking and cooking until all samples clear.

The council discussed school notifications and timing of sampling results. City staff said they would update the public as lab results arrive and would report follow‑up steps for repair and longer‑term pipe replacement planning.