Robbins water is safe and flowing.

"We are at 100 percent," the town manager said just after noon Wednesday. "No need to boil water anymore."

The issue of future water resources cut a bit too close to the bone for Robbins this past Sunday when the town lost its water source for almost a full day.

The town was notified Sunday afternoon that Montgomery County, which supplies water to the town, had experienced a major water-line break. Service was reduced to all customers. For Robbins, that meant a one-day back-up supply in its storage tanks.

"I spoke with the main man at their plant (Monday)," Town Manager Jeff Sheffield said. "A pipe on one of their pumps broke, and then a 14-inch main ... temporary repairs got the water back on. Our tanks are going to be full, so even if they have to shut down on Tuesday when they make the permanent repair Robbins will be fine. I don't think he will (shut down), but if he does it won't affect us."

The town, along with all of Montgomery County, was on a "boil water advisory" until further notice.

"The water is safe - this is just precautionary," Sheffield said. "I am stressing that it is only precautionary."

Outages and periods of low pressure increase the potential for contamination into any water system. The state Division of Environmental Health advises that after water is restored following an outage, consumers should boil all water used for human consumption.

"Vigorous boiling for 1 minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present," a notice issued in Troy, the county seat, said. "This advisory remains in effect until further notice is issued. Once water quality tests confirm that your water is safe for consumption, a notice to this affect will be given."

Discolored water is not dangerous.

"Air in the water or discoloration could occur upon service being restored; this poses no health risk in and of itself," Montgomery County said. "Flushing your system by leaving a faucet running should clear the lines."

Sheffield says Robbins will follow Troy in this precautionary measure. He'll lift the boil water advisory once Montgomery County does. For now, the water is back on, though conservation is still encouraged.

"As of 8 a.m. all pumps were operational and water is moving across the county," Montgomery County said Tuesday morning. "It will take most of the day to get the tanks back to their normal levels."

On Sunday, Sheffield had to use reverse 911 and ask water customers to use as little water as possible.

The Fire Department already had plans for situations like this and there was no worry about not having water to fight any fires in Robbins or its fire district.

"We spoke with the Fire Chief," Sheffield said. "They can fight fires without having to use hydrants."

The town is looking for its own water supply and obtained grant funding for a series of test wells in hopes of finding sufficient below surface water on the banks of Bear Creek to make Robbins independent. Until its own source is available Robbins will continue having to rely on its contract with Montgomery County.

Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or jfchappell@gmail.com.