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Public Works - Water Quality

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1. What is the Village water source?

The Village of La Grange Park purchases its water from the Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission, who in turn receives its water from the City of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is one of the largest and cleanest sources of fresh surface water found in the world today. Public Works is responsible for approximately 42 miles of water mains throughout the community, in addition, the water plant, reservoirs, overhead tank and pump controls are also maintained.

2. Is our tap water safe?

Yes, the water supplied to our Village meets every State and Federal regulation. If our water ever did exceed a standard you would be notified and on an annual basis the Water Quality Report available to every person paying a water bill. View the Consumer Confidence Reports or call Public Works at 708-352-2922 to receive a copy by mail.

3. Do I need a water filter?

No, the water you receive from your tap is safe to drink and has already been filtered through granular activated carbon and fine sand.

4. Should I buy bottled water?

In general, no. There are no health benefits to drinking bottled water compared to tap water. Your water is tested for more kinds of bacteria and contaminants and is tested much more often than bottled water. Tap water is held to higher standards than bottled water and treatment plants use the same water treatment technology available to bottled water producers, in addition, tap water is much less expensive. Bottled water does offer advantages to those who prefer the taste of a specific kind of water or to people on the go who don’t have time or forget to fill a sports bottle with tap water.

5. Why does the water sometimes smell or taste like chlorine?

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 adding a minimal amount assuring the water remains safe as it travels from the treatment plant to homes. 

If you are sensitive to chlorine in your water, a carbon filter will remove all chlorine. Carbon filters must be consistently maintained to minimize bacteriological contamination of your water. Alternatively, fill a pitcher with tap water and place it in the refrigerator overnight, usually by the next day the chlorine will have evaporated out of the water. If your immune system is compromised in any way, ask your doctor about any precautions you should take when drinking bottled or tap water.

6. Does the water contain fluoride?

Yes, the Illinois Department of Public Health requires the addition of fluoride to potable water to provide children with the proper dental health care.

7. Does the water contain radon?

No, radon is virtually non-detectable in surface water supplies such as Lake Michigan.

8. Does my water contain lead?

The water that Brookfield-North Riverside Water Commission delivers to the Village contains no detectable lead. Lead in tap water typically comes from the service pipe that enters a building or the plumbing within the building. Newer homes typically do not have lead service pipes or lead containing plumbing. Because homeowners, typically own the service pipe leading into their building and the plumbing within it, they should consult with a licensed plumber and/or consult with their Public Works department if they are concerned. View U.S. EPA guidance to reduce lead in your water.

9. What does the Village test for in the water?

The Village of La Grange Park strives to deliver a consistent, high quality drinking water to the residents. Numerous water samples are collected throughout the Village during the year to meet State and Federal water quality requirements. View the La Grange Park’s most recent annual water quality Consumer Confidence Report.

10. How do I get my water tested?

Services for water testing are available from private laboratories for a fee. The fee will vary depending on the field of items tested. To obtain a booklet of qualified laboratories visit the Illinois Environmental Protections Agency, Division of Laboratories website or call them at 217-782-6455.

11. Why are there water restrictions?

By contract of receiving Lake Michigan water each utility has to enact indoor and outdoor water restrictions. Indoor restrictions include plumbing codes that require the installation of water conserving fixtures. Outdoors, residents are restricted in water sprinkling during the hottest time of the day to minimize evaporation. The code restrictions for water sprinkling. A $50 fine may be imposed for each occurrence of code infraction. View the ordinance: Title 5, Chapter 51, Article 49, Section Meters and Rates.

From May 15 through September 15, it shall be unlawful for any person to sprinkle or water lawns within the corporate limits of the village except in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Residents with even numbered homes can water on even numbered calendar days.
• Residents with odd numbered homes can water on odd numbered calendar days.

12. What is the hardness of Village tap water?

The hardness of our water is about 8 grains per gallon or 137 milligrams per liter as CaCO3. It does not change significantly.

13. Do I need to soften my water?

Generally no. Considering a water softener purchase, keep in mind a softener will remove the calcium and magnesium (hardness) from your tap water but these essential minerals will be replaced with sodium (salt) in your tap water. While this does not improve the healthfulness of your tap water, it will cut down slightly on soap and detergent use. A softener does eliminate scale build up around your kitchen and bathroom fixtures but a minimal improvement compared to the expense of a softener. 

Softeners do increase the corrosivity of water and are often implicated in increased lead and copper levels in homes with these plumbing materials. Finally, if you decide to purchase a softener, please invest the time to flush it out after being away for more than a few days. This reduces the number of nuisance bacteria that are present inside stagnant softener tanks.

14. Why is our water so warm in the summer?

The summer sun heats Lake Michigan throughout the summer months. Typically, July through September are the warm water months with our tap water reaching into the low 70 degrees Fahrenheit range (21 degrees Celsius). Winter brings about much cooler water temperatures, usually just above the freezing point. To enjoy an ice cold glass of water in the summer, collect a pitcher full and store it in the refrigerator.

15. Why is my water milky looking?

When a glass of water appears milky, let it sit and observe the cloudiness. If the cloudiness rises to the top, the milkiness is composed of air bubbles. Air bubbles in water do not make the water unsafe. They can be removed by flushing the taps in your home. There are a few possible sources of air in water including air entrapped in repaired pipes, malfunctioning water pumps or more commonly, water temperature changes, as wintertime cools Lake Michigan more air dissolves in the water. Call your Public Works department at 708-352-2992 if the cloudiness persists in your taps or settles to the bottom of a glass of water.

16. Who do I contact with billing questions?

Contact the Village Hall Water Billing Department at 708-354-0225.

17. Who do I contact about water pipes or water meters?

Call the Public Works Department at 708-352-2922.