[CdMGuy]

Why is it going to take a few days to test the water? As someone who has groundwater tested for polluting chemicals, I can tell you that if need be, you can have results back by the next day. In the meantime, everyone has to use bottled water for a few days.

[Lion's Cub]

Why is it going to take a few days to test the water?

Bacteria take some time to grow on a petrie dish. Some viruses can only be seen with a special microscrope that the average lab probably doesn't have.

Also, when you have your water tested, you probably only test for a limited number of things. Under the circumstances, the city probably has to test for just about everything that could cause problems--that's a whole lot of testing...