Boil Water Advisory Lifted in Allegan

Three-day precautionary measure ends after water main break repairs

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A boil water advisory issued in Allegan, Michigan, has been lifted after three days. The advisory was put in place as a precaution following a significant water main break that caused a drop in water pressure and raised concerns about potential bacterial contamination. Corrective measures have been taken and follow-up testing has confirmed the water is now safe to drink.

Why it matters

Boil water advisories are an important public health measure to protect residents from waterborne illnesses when there are issues with the municipal water supply. The lifting of this advisory means the city's water system is now operating normally and safe for regular use.

The details

On Wednesday, a 50-foot-long horizontal break in a water main on Marshall Street between Jenner Drive and 26th Street caused a significant drop in water pressure. This type of break is uncommon and more difficult to repair than a typical radius break. As a precaution, the city issued a boil water advisory on Thursday, instructing residents to boil any water intended for consumption for at least two minutes.

  • The water main break occurred on Wednesday evening.
  • The boil water advisory was issued on Thursday.
  • The advisory has now been lifted after three days, on February 23, 2026.

The players

Zac Kortz

The Water Utilities Director for the city of Allegan.

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What they’re saying

“Corrective measures have been taken and no coliform bacteria have been detected in the follow-up testing of the system's water. The water is safe to drink.”

— Zac Kortz, Water Utilities Director (woodtv.com)

“When we got down there, we discovered that it was not a radius break. It was a horizontal break. (The) break was about 50 feet long, which is not common and it's a very bad situation because you basically have to chase down that crack in the pipe until you find where it ends, then you can cut that and cap that hopefully.”

— Zac Kortz, Water Utilities Director (woodtv.com)

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor the water system to ensure it remains safe and functioning properly.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of a responsive and proactive municipal water utility that can quickly address issues like water main breaks and implement precautionary measures to protect public health when necessary.