An end could be in sight to a nearly two-week boil water order affecting the Municipal District of St. Stephen.

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

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

In an update on Wednesday, municipal officials said work continues to identify and repair the cause of the pump failure, adding that inclement weather and temperatures have made this work “additionally challenging.”

“Today, the Municipal District of St. Stephen has implemented operational changes which isolated the problematic area,” said the update. “This has allowed an agreement with the Department of Health, to begin water testing with the ultimate goal of lifting the current Boil Water Order.”

The first sample was taken on Wednesday and couriered to the testing facility, with a second sample set to be drawn on Thursday.

If both tests return acceptable results, the health department would be in a position to lift the boil order, said the update. The earliest that could happen is on Friday.

“While an issue remains at the Maxwell Crossing Facility, work will resume when required parts/equipment arrive,” it said.