Vicksburg and water systems could remain under a boil water notice for most of this week, the city’s public works director said this morning.

&#8220More than likely it will be Friday before we know anything” from the Mississippi Department of Health, said James &#8220Bubba” Rainer. &#8220We’re required to take 60 samples at different sites throughout the city two days in a row, so we’ll take 60 samples today and 60 samples the next day. They have to go to the state to run and its a 24-hour test.”

Today, Rainer said the water plant will flush hydrants with chlorine. Samples could not be taken because of this morning’s rain.

The city’s system lost pressure Wednesday when the 36-inch main water line from the water treatment plant on E.W. Haining Road ruptured due to ground movement, leaving the entire city and parts of the county dry within hours.

The line was repaired and service was restored by Thursday evening, but 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.

The break may have cost the city more than $50,000 from lost meter sales and water wasted by draining due to the break and repressurizing the system, Strategic Planner Paul Rogers said last week.