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Environmental Health - Water Quality

 

PARK FOREST DRINKING WATER - HIGH QUALITY

by Nancy Miles, Environment Conservation Commission of Park Forest

When you turn on your faucet for a drink of water in Park Forest, you can be sure that your water is safe and of high quality. And it tastes good, too.

Water is considered safe to drink if it came from a natural source (like a river, lake, groundwater or spring) and if it meets or exceeds all of the federal and state standards that are legally enforceable. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA sets these standards, under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) of 1974, (PL93-523, 40 CFR 141). This legislation requires routine and periodic testing of all drinking water throughout the United States.

Water is such a precious commodity. Park Forest is most fortunate to have an ample groundwater supply from our own wells located within Village limits. For treatment, well water is pumped to the Water Plant where it is softened using lime softening and ion exchange processes. The water is filtered through sand, and then chlorine and fluoride (to promote strong teeth) are added. The treated water is then pumped through underground mains to your home.

About 90 contaminants that could appear in drinking water are monitored by all public  water utilities as mandated by the SWDA. These include: radioactives; inorganic materials such as lead and arsenic; organic chemical contaminants; disinfectants and state regulated  contaminants such as sodium. The ion exchange water softening process increases the sodium level in our water. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, you may wish to consult your physicians. The current level of sodium is 86.000 milligrams per liter of water.

Park Forest’s Water Department also monitors for herbicides and pesticides and for microbial viruses and bacteria. Our water is checked monthly for coliform bacteria. All state and federal guidelines have been met in regard to these contaminants. In the year 2000, our drinking water passes all tests and is safe and of high quality. Having clean drinking water that we own and operate is another great asset of living in Park Forest.

A copy of the 2000 Annual Drinking Water Report is available from the Water Department at Village Hall. For a more detailed explanation of the report call the Department of Public Works at 503-7702. To report water emergencies call the EPA Safe Drinking Water hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

DO YOUR PART TO KEEP OUR WATER SAFE

Use lawn and garden fertilizers and pesticides sparingly
Recycle old car batteries, used motor oil and other automobile fluids
Use rechargeable batteries
Participate in collection days for hazardous household products.

IMAGINE!!!! 75 PERCENT OF THE HUMAN BRAIN IS WATER