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

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 encouraged 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.

No one should be doing any burning as well. Burn bans are in place in Franklin County and Carterville until further notice.

Officials say they will notify the public once the water main is fixed.