>>UPDATED 2PM>>>Mt. Vernon Mayor, John Lewis, has declared a state of emergency for the city of Mt. Vernon in light of the developments with the Rend Lake Conservancy District Water Main Break. Mayor Lewis made the declaration during an emergency City Council meeting today (Thursday) at 2pm.

>>>BACKSTORY>>>

A water line break at the Rend Lake Water Treatment Facility around 5:50 Wednesday night has forced area cities and counties that get water from Rend Lake to conserve water until further notice.

All businesses and residents of Jefferson County and elsewhere on the system are asked to use little to no water as possible.

According to Franklin County Emergency Management Director Ryan Buckingham, officials found a crack in a 36 inch main water line located within the Rend Lake Water Treatment Facility. Repair crews cut out a bad section of pipe and tried to weld in a new patch. As of early this morning, securing the weld has been difficult due to water backing up into the broken pipe from the system. Crews are attempting to secure the weld while additional staff members are bleeding water downstream. No boil water orders are in effect at this time.

It is not known at this time how the break happened,

but water should only be used for essential purposes.

You are asked to not fill swimming polls, water lawns, water gardens, wash cars and conduct other activity using large volumes of water. Delay washing clothes as possible.

>>>UPDATED 12PM>>>The process of creating a bypass for one of the three high service pumps has begun. When this is completed it will provide some water to the system.

It will not be at full capacity. The Intercity water system is focusing on returning some water to the system to assist with the health and welfare of the 60 communities served.

The system asks that all communities and businesses, such as hospitals and nursing homes, institute their loss of water back up plans. Residents are asked to use as little to no water as possible to help conserve the dwindling water supply.