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DuPage Water Commission |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does our water come from?
The DuPage Water Commission's water comes from Lake Michigan, the largest freshwater lake in the United States and the fifth largest lake in the world. The Commission purchases the water from the Chicago Water Department. Chicago's Jardine Water Purification Plant treats the water that the Commission purchases. The Jardine Water Purification Plant is the largest potable water filtration plant in the world with a capacity of 1.4 billion gallons per day.
Is our tap water safe?
The water supplied to your water utility meets or exceeds every State and Federal regulations for drinking water. Annually people paying a water bill are notified of their water quality by their water utility.
Why does my water get milky white?
Milky white water, also commonly described as cloudy, hazy, soapy, or foamy, is almost always caused by air in the water. One of the many properties of water is its ability to dissolve gases-including air. Sometimes the air comes back out of the water in the form of many tiny bubbles; this gives the water a milky white appearance. To see if the white color in the water is due to air, fill a clear glass with water and set it on the counter. Observe the glass of water for 2 or 3 minutes. If the white color is due to air, the water will begin to clear at the bottom of the glass first and then gradually will clear all the way to the top. This is a natural phenomenon and is completely normal; the water is safe to use. This situation can happen when the water gets cold, or whenever the water has been turned off for repairs. Cold water holds more dissolved air than warm water. In the winter and spring, the water is cold and contains a relatively high level of dissolved air. As the water moves through the water mains in the street and the pipes in your house, it begins to warm up and lose some of its ability to keep the air dissolved. However, because the water is under pressure in the pipes, the air remains in the water. When you relieve the pressure by opening the faucet and filling your glass with water, the air is now free to escape from the water, giving it a milky appearance for a few minutes. This same set of circumstances is also why you will often see that your hot water is cloudy. Another way for this milky white water to form is after your water utility has worked on a water main or you have had work done on your plumbing. When the water is shut off, air can get into the water main or your pipes. When the water pressure is restored, some of that air dissolves into the water. When you again relieve the pressure by opening the faucet and filling you glass with water, the air is now free to escape from the water thus giving it a milky white appearance for a few minutes.
If your water is cloudy or milky white in appearance and it does not clear in a glass after 5 minutes, your should call your water utility.
How can I prevent my water service or pipes from freezing during the winter months?
To prevent your service or the pipes within your home from freezing under very cold conditions, you can take a couple of precautions:
If pipes or facilities are located against exterior walls, make sure that they are exposed to the warmer air of the house. For example, if your kitchen sink is located against an outside wall of your house, open the cabinet doors to permit the circulation of warmer air around the pipes.
Turn on one of the faucets in your house to a low trickle to insure that there is a constant motion of water within your service. (Please do not take this step except when extreme conditions demand it.)
Who is responsible for the repair costs of the service line?
This varies from utility to utility. Some utilities will repair any leaks between the water main and the buffalo box (b-box) or valve box in the front yard. Other utilities will repair any leaks between the water main and the water meter. You need to check with your specific water utility.
I am going to be moving into a house. How do I know who is my water utility?
The best way to determine who is you water utility is to ask to see a copy of the water bills for the house. If a water bill is not available you can ask a neighbor who provides water service. You should call the utility to verify this information.
Why are there water restrictions?
As a condition of receiving Lake Michigan water each utility has to enact indoor and outdoor water restrictions. The indoor water restrictions include plumbing codes that require the installation of water conserving fixtures. Outdoor water restrictions include such things as restricting water sprinkling during the hottest time of the day to minimize evaporation. You need to check with your water utility to find your specific water restrictions.
Do water filters work and should I use one?
As with most products, some filters work better than others and some do not work at all. There are many types of filters available, each type works differently and will remove different substances from the water. It will be very helpful for you to know exactly why you want to filter the water before you speak to the seller of water treatment devises. If you choose to filter your water, there are several resources available to you to assist you in choosing a filter that works properly and will meet your needs. Consumer Reports Magazine occasionally will compare types of water filters and explain which types remove which constituents. They also compare various models and report on which ones work the best. A list of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved water treatment devices is available by calling the NSF at (800) 673-8010.
Please note: If you do install a water filter, follow the operating and maintenance instructions very carefully. An improperly installed and/or maintained filter can adversely affect the water quality. The water provided by the DuPage Water Commission meets all State and Federal drinking water standards.
Do I need to treat the water before I use it for my fish?
Yes. Your drinking water contains disinfectants to inhibit bacterial growth. These disinfectants can kill fish. The water supplied by the DuPage Water Commission contains chlorine. Chlorine can be neutralized by adding the appropriate chemicals, which are available at most pet stores. Chlorine can also be removed with a granular activated carbon (GAC) water filter. Chlorine can also be removed from the water by letting a container of the water sit exposed to the atmosphere (uncovered) for at least 48 hours.
Some fish, particularly tropical fish and koi, are also sensitive to rapid changes in the temperature and pH of the water - even small changes. If you are going to change the water in an aquarium or pond, or add a significant amount of new water, consult an experienced fish care expert for tips on how to accomplish this without shocking or killing your fish.
Some people may be concerned that water harmful to fish might not be safe for them to drink. This concern is not necessary. Humans and fish use water in very different ways. When humans drink water, the chlorine is neutralized by our digestive system before it enters our bloodstream. When fish "breathe" water, any chlorine present enters their bloodstream directly. This interferes with the fish's ability to take oxygen from the water and can cause the fish to suffocate.
Why does my water sometimes smell or taste like chlorine?
Chlorine is added to drinking water for several reasons. First and foremost, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the United State Environmental Protection Agency require that all water plants disinfect the water. The Chicago Water Department uses chlorine for this purpose. Second, a minimal amount of chlorine is added to assure that the water remains safe as it travels from the treatment plant to your home. A few individuals, who are sensitive to chlorine, can detect the chlorine taste and odor at these low levels.
Does the water contain fluoride?
Yes. In Illinois, the Department of Public Health requires the addition for fluoride to potable water to provide children with the proper dental healthcare. Fluoride in drinking water is primarily absorbed into the blood stream and deposited on the teeth of children up to the age of about 8.
How hard is my water and should I use a water softener?
Dissolved minerals make water hard; as the amount of minerals in the water increases, the water becomes harder. Two common minerals found dissolved in drinking water are calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. There is usually much more calcium carbonate than magnesium carbonate present in water; therefore, water hardness is reported as the amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) dissolved in the water. There are two units of measurement for hardness commonly used in the United States, grains per gallon and milligrams per liter calcium carbonate (mg/L as CaCO3). The conversion factor is 17.1 mg/L as CaCO3 = 1 grain per gallon. Our water is about 8 grains per gallon or 137 mg/L as CaCO3. Average well water hardness is 55 grains per gallon or 941 mg/L as CaCO3.
Water softening is the process of removing the minerals from the water and is commonly accomplished by either reverse osmosis filtration or ion exchange. Reverse osmosis filtration units can handle only small volumes of water and is usually performed at a single point of use, such as the kitchen sink. Ion exchange units can handle large volumes of water and are usually installed on the incoming water supply line to a property. Ion exchange systems exchange sodium ions for the calcium and magnesium ions in the water. Medical studies show that people who live in areas with hard water have reduced occurrences of cardiovascular illness compared to people who live in areas with soft water. You should consult your physician before making artificially softened water your primary source of drinking water.
Do I have radon in the water?
No. Radon is virtually nondetectable in surface water supplies such as Lake Michigan.
How can I have my water tested?
Services for water testing are available from private laboratories for a fee. This fee varies greatly depending on the number of constituents you would like tested for in the water. The Chicago Water Department, Water Quality Bureau, Water Purification Laboratories, performs quarterly chemical analysis on the water they supply to the Commission. The Commission sends water samples to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Laboratories monthly for bacterial testing. The Commission's water meets all State and Federal drinking water standards. To obtain a booklet of qualified laboratories call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Laboratories, at 217-782-6455.