Residents of Big Lake, Missouri, their homes surrounded and inundated by floodwater for months, are now making do without fresh water. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued a boil order last week until further notice. Water service was shut down due to a water main break.

Officials say because there was a complete loss of water pressure in the water lines, there is a high potential for floodwater to enter the drinking water lines.

The boil order will remain in effect for all of the Village of Big Lake until water distribution lines can be repaired, flushed, disinfected

After that, the water must pass two consecutive days of testing before the water is deemed safe.

Customers of the Big Lake water system are urged to take the following precautions:
*Boil water vigorously for three minutes prior to use for cooking or drinking.
*Disinfect food contact surfaces such as dishes by immersing them for at least one minute in clean water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
*Dispose of ice cubes and remake them with boiled water.
*Continue boiling all drinking and cooking water, until the cause of the contamination has been found and corrected.
*Water used for bathing does not need to be boiled.