MOUNT VERNON — The City of Mt. Vernon has declared a state of emergency following a Wednesday night water main break at the Rend Lake Conservancy District Water Treatment Plant.

During an emergency meeting at the Mt. Vernon Public Works Department on Thursday afternoon, the council voted 3-0 in favor of the measure to declare a water emergency. Two council members were unable to attend.

Mt. Vernon Mayor John Lewis declared the state of emergency for the city in light of the developments with the Rend Lake Conservancy District Water Main Break. The break in the 36-inch line has crippled water supplies across 60 southern Illinois communities with some already out of water.

During the meeting City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel asked that all non-essential businesses to cease operations if possible.

There is a chance the city could receive water from RLCD around midnight. However, whenever the city is actually able to take water, Bechtel said it will be highly unlikely that the water is potable.

Mayor Lewis reassured that they’re working hard to ensure water is available for residents and that there are regular meetings every couple of hours. There was no guarantee that there would be water at midnight, however.

Continental Tire assisted in the effort to conserve water by shutting down the 3pm until 11 shift Thursday. Both Lewis and Bechtel applauded the factory’s efforts.