Vicksburg area residents may have to boil their water for the remainder of the week as officials complete the process of recovering from last week’s water loss due to a ruptured main line.

“More than likely it will be Friday before we know anything” from the Mississippi Department of Health, city public works director James “Bubba” Rainer said Monday.

“We’re required to take 60 samples at different sites throughout the city two days in a row. They have to go to the state to run and its a 24-hour test,” he said.

On Monday, the water plant flushed hydrants with chlorine. Samples could not be taken because of rain.

The city’s system lost pressure Wednesday when the 36-inch main water line from the water treatment plant ruptured, leaving the entire city and parts of the county dry within hours.

The line was repaired and service was restored by Thursday. Residents were warned not to drink or cook with tap water because of possible contamination by bacteria when pressure was lost. Bathing and washing clothes is OK.