VILLA GROVE, Ill. (WAND) - A broken water main that left Villa Grove residents without water led to Illinois 130 being closed down.
At 1:45 p.m. Monday, Mayor Cassandra Gunter told The News-Gazette state officials were preparing to close both lanes of IL 130 to facilitate repair of the break, which involves a main located deep underground. A private contractor had to be called to fix the issue.
The issue occurred Sunday night at about 10:30 p.m. and proved to be so extensive that it drained water from the water tower faster than water could come in. School was canceled in Villa Grove Monday as a result.
According to City Administrator Jacki Athey, it's unclear if the whole highway will need to be closed.
A boil order was issued for Villa Grove. It also affects nearby Deer Lake, and a boil order was also issued for the community of Camargo.
A major challenge with this break is pandemic related. Three of the five public works employees in the city are off because of COVID-19 protocols.
Athey said officials do not yet have a projection for a restoration time.
