The village received the green light from the IEPA to lift the order after additional water samples were tested and showed no problems, according to Jason Miller, village spokesman.
After the initial water sample showed possible contamination, 31 additional water samples were taken and forwarded to an independent lab for testing.
Analysis of those samples showed no cause for concern, with the results forwarded to state environmental officials, Miller said.
The initial water sample was tested as being unsatisfactory for E. coli and coliform bacteria, which can come from human or animal waste. A second sample was taken that did not have an unsafe amount of E. coli but did have an unacceptable level of total coliform bacteria, Miller said.
In making the boil order, village officials had said they did not believe potential contamination was widespread but that the order to boil water was issued as a precaution.
Park Forest relies on six wells for its water supply.
The village’s issue with its water was unrelated to an ongoing “do not consume” order for tap water affecting hundreds of customers of Aqua Illinois in University Park due to elevated lead levels.
Initially, in mid-June, the water company told 2,400 customers not to drink, cook with or otherwise consume water, and that number of affected customers had been trimmed to about 1,500 by late last month.
Aqua Illinois officials said Monday they had, last week, been able to remove another 22 customers from the “do not consume” list and were working to clear another 251 customers, but that it could still be ”at least a few more weeks” before the problem is resolved.
Company officials said since the order went into effect Aqua had distributed more than 35,000 cases of bottled water and provided affected residents with 755 water faucet filters and 2,500 water pitcher filters.
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