SOUTH MILWAUKEE - The water scare is officially over in South Milwaukee. The broken water main is fixed. And after an E. coli scare, residents turned their faucets back on.

Kate Berumen turned her faucet back on Saturday after learning her water is safe to drink. She's still a bit nervous though. "It may take until tomorrow. I may try to take a shower though. That would be nice," Berumen said.

A major water main break Friday morning caused South Milwaukee to declare the water undrinkable for fear of contamination. But after testing samples, city leaders confirmed Saturday, there is no E. coli in the water. 

"I truly believe that the water was safe all along, but we wanted to err on the side of caution," Doug Fischer of the South Milwaukee Water Utility explained.

At Pick 'n Save, workers re-stocked the produce shelves after learning the water was safe.

"We lost maybe a day's business which you know nothing you can do about that," John Dannibel Pick 'n Save said.  "Better safe than sorry."

Mayor Thomas Zepecki asked people to patronize restaurants affected by the water problems. "They took a hit on this one and everyone would certainly appreciate if they'd go out to the restaurants and the bars tonight and the grocery store and show them that we appreciate their tolerance and patience."

Residents who cut back on showers and laundry and relied on store bought water are relieved the problem didn't last through the weekend.

"I'm excited to go home and cook a meal and wash the dishes and do my laundry and all the other stuff every weekend's required to do," South Milwaukee resident Theresa Peppey said.

All the residents I spoke said they were happy with the city's quick and cautious response. 

Residents who drank city tap water on Friday should continue to monitor their symptoms. If they experience any diarrhea, cramps, nausea or headaches, they should call their healthcare provider.

For more info, call the South Milwaukee Health Department at 768-8055. Or Click Here to get more information from the City of South Milwaukee