Ferdinand Issues Boil Water Advisory After Water Main Break; Later Lifted

Town officials in Ferdinand announced that the boil-water advisory issued following a water main break had been lifted after repair work and confirmatory water testing indicated the system was safe for normal use, the town bulletin said. The bulletin’s lift language includes the phrase “on Feb” but the full date was not present in the copy provided to local outlets.

The advisory was first issued early Monday, February 16, 2026, when the Town of Ferdinand Water Department alerted customers that a water main break had compromised drinking water safety. “On Monday, February 16, 2026, the Town of Ferdinand Water Department issued a Water Boil Advisory for Town of Ferdinand water customers due to a water main break,” local postings and radio sites reported at the time.

While the advisory was in effect, officials advised residents to take specific precautions. “Customers are asked to boil all water intended for drinking or cooking for 5 minutes. Water is safe for laundry and bathing. If any color issues run water until clear,” the advisory stated. The town listed Ben Brinkman as the contact for questions at 812-367-2280, ext 7, a number repeated on 18 WJTS, WITZ and the Dubois County Herald posts that carried the advisory.

Local social media confirmed the lift after repairs. A Dubois County Free Press Facebook update read, “Update: The boil advisory has been lifted.” That post followed earlier Free Press messaging that “The Ferdinand boil advisory is in effect until further notice.” The Facebook thread captured two comments and three shares; one user, Heather Borman, wrote, “23 hours later I find out,” reflecting at least one resident’s view on the timing of notification.

Not all local outlets’ captured pages showed the lift when they published the original advisory. The WJTS local news page had stated the boil order “will be in place until further notice” in its captured text, while WITZ and the Dubois County Herald posted the Feb. 16 advisory language and the same contact information for Brinkman.

The town bulletin’s reported reason for lifting the order was repair work and confirmatory water testing that indicated the system was safe for normal use, but the available copy did not include full testing details or the complete lift date. Residents who want the official lift timestamp, testing results, or any recommended post-lift plumbing steps are asked to contact the Town of Ferdinand Water Department through Ben Brinkman at 812-367-2280, ext 7.