The Municipal District of St. Stephen is one step closer to lifting a nearly two-week boil water order.

In a Thursday update, officials said the first water sample taken the day prior “met the regulatory requirements.”

“A second sample was taken today and couriered to the laboratory for analysis,” said the update.

“While we are optimistic that this sample will also meet requirements, it cannot be guaranteed at this time.”

The municipality requires two acceptable test results before the boil water order can be lifted.

The order went into effect on Saturday, Feb. 8 following a pump failure at the Maxwell Crossing facility.

Municipal officials later said the failure was caused by an air leak disrupting the vacuum on the main water pump.

Work continues to identify and repair the cause of the pump failure, with the municipality noting that inclement weather and temperatures have made the work “additionally challenging.”

While the issue remains at the facility, officials said “operational changes” were implemented to isolate the problematic area and allowed for water testing to begin.