Frequently Asked Questions With Answers
As always, we are available to answer any questions you may have regarding your water quality. Just give us a call or drop us an e-mail. However, to save your time, we have compiled a list of our 12 most frequently asked questions.
1. What is the hardness of our water?
Answer: The hardness of our water is about 8 grains per gallon or 137 mg/l as CaCO3.
2. Where does our water come from?
Answer: Our water comes from Lake Michigan, the largest freshwater lake in the United States and the fifth biggest lake in the world. Lake Michigan contains 1.2 quadrillion gallons of water.
3. Why is our water so warm in the summer?
Answer: The summer sun heats Lake Michigan through out the summer months. Typically, July through September are the warm water months with our tap water reaching into the low 70o F range (21oC). 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.
4. Why does my water sometimes smell or taste like a swimming pool?
Answer: Swimming pools, like all municipally treated tap water, are treated with chlorine. Although we add much less chlorine to our tap water than what is used in a pool, there are times when chlorine is apparent to some individuals.
We add chlorine to our water for a few reasons. First, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. EPA require that all water plants add chlorine to the water, no matter how clean we get the water in the water plant. Second, we add chlorine to the water to protect it as it travels through water pipes and out of the faucet in your home. Be assured, we add the minimum amount of chlorine possible to our water to assure it is always safe to drink but also pleasing to drink.
5. Is our tap water safe?
Answer: Yes. Your water comes from a state-of-the-art water treatment facility that went into operation in 1992. Since the day operation began, no water quality standard of any kind has been exceeded. The water supplied to your Village meets every State and Federal regulation. If our water ever did exceed a standard you would be notified. Even if we detected any compound of concern in our water at any concentration, you would be notified at the vary least on an annual basis in the Water Quality Report mailed directly to every person paying a water bill. If you are ever in doubt or desire to review our water quality records, please call us at 847-295-7788 to set up a time.
6. Should I buy bottled water?
Answer: In general, no. There are no health benefits to drinking bottled water compared to your tap water. Your water is tested for more kinds of bacteria and contaminants and is tested much more often than bottled water. Your tap water is held to higher standards than bottled water. Our doors and water quality records are always open for your critical review. Your treatment plant uses the same water treatment technology available to bottled water producers. And, our 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.
7. Do I still need my softener now that we receive Lake Michigan water?
Answer: Most residents that we have talked to decided to stop using their softeners. However, the answer to this question depends on why you purchased your softener in the first place. If you purchased it to keep your pipes from plugging up with scale, you no longer need it. Lake Michigan water does not typically clog water pipes. If you purchased it to reduce the amount of scale or lime that builds up on your faucet or around sinks and tubs, you will find this problem greatly diminished with Lake Michigan water. However, there are still some minerals in Lake Michigan water that will cause a slight scale build up over time. If you purchased your softener to remove iron from your water, you no longer need it. Lake Michigan contains almost no iron. If you purchased your softner because you want to use less detergent or soap, you will find that with Lake Michigan water, you will use much less detergent and soap than you did with your well water. However, a softener will still allow you to reduce your soap and detergent use slightly.
8. Do I need a water filter?
Answer: No. The water you receive from your tap is safe to drink and has already been filtered through granular activated carbon and fine sand. The water produced by CLCJAWA is more than five times clearer than required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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. Most folks sensitive to the chlorine will fill a pitcher with tap water and place it in the refrigerator over night. Usually by the next day, the chlorine will have evaporated out of the water.
9. Does our water contain fluoride?
Answer: Yes. In Illinois, the Department of Public Health requires that we add fluoride to our water to provide children with one of the building blocks needed for strong teeth. At CLCJAWA, we only add what is required, no less and no more. Evanston was the first community to add fluoride to drinking water in 1947. Fluoride in drinking water is primarily absorbed into the blood stream and deposited to the teeth of children up to the age of about 8.
10. What is the stuff in my hot water?
Answer: Water heaters can have a big impact on water quality. That is one reason why you should not drink hot tap water. As water heaters age, the components in the water heater tank and the tank itself breaks down. You may find white flakes in your faucet screens. These are usually present when the dip tube (a plastic pipe in your water heater) starts to flake apart. You may see a clear or green gel like substance if you draw a bath of hot water. This is caused from the anode rod, found in all water heaters, breaking down. And your hot water may smell odd. This too is caused by the chemical reaction between the anode rod and the water or by bacteria in the water heater. If any of these conditions are of concern, call a plumber to investigate the problem.
11. What is the pink stuff growing in and around my sink/tub/washer, etc.?
Answer: Pink, black, red, brown, orange, and salmon colored "stains" often appear in areas that are frequently wet. These "stains" are not from the water, but are caused by airborne mold, mildew, and bacteria. Collectively we call these things biological growths. Biological growth occurs despite frequent scrubbing and disinfection and is very frustrating. It may be very troublesome one year and disappear the next. It may reappear weeks after scrubbing or months later. It is typically worst during the summer time. The common factors that lead to these growths are moisture, nutrients, and the nature of the surface. Areas that are dry all the time do not support biological growth. Surfaces that are exposed to soap, food, body oils, or human wastes provide sufficient nutrients for biological growth - even if the surface looks clean. Surfaces that are porous like caulk, grout, plastic, paint, etc. retain moisture, resist cleaning, and provide nutrients for biological growth. The best way to minimize biological growth is to ventilate and dry wet areas as quickly as possible. The second best way is through frequent cleaning. More information on biological growth.
12. Why do we have watering restrictions?
Answer: It is true that 20% of the world's surface fresh water is contained in the Great Lakes. It may also seem impossible to imagine that humans could actually consume a measurable amount of water in our "fresh water ocean". But massive lakes, like the Aral Sea, the once mighty Colorado River, and underground aquifers have been all but emptied through human use. Fortunately, the United States and Canada have agreements to protect the Great Lakes for future generations while reducing our impact today. In an effort to reduce water loss from the Great Lakes Basin, citizens in the Great Lakes States and Provinces are mandated to practice water conservation. In Illinois, communities that use Lake Michigan water are mandated to restrict water use for irrigation as a conservation measure.Lake Michigan is immense, but only 1% of the water in the Lake is replaceable. The other 99% of the Lake's water has been deposited over more than 10,000 years. Like a bank account containing cash that we might inherit, once we spend the money it will take a long time to replenish the account. Those who proceeded us have left us with a large fresh water "account". Conservation will help us to leave those that follow us with the same fresh water resources.
13. Are there any pharmaceuticals in our drinking water?
Answer:
CLCJAWA has tested for the most concerning class of drugs, hormones and hormone mimics, since commercial testing became available in 2002. The AP refers to these compounds as "sex drugs". They include members of the estrogen and testosterone families. We have never detected these compounds in our tap water. We were among the first and up until recently were one of the very few utilities to conduct these tests. More information on resident concerns regarding pharmaceuticals in water.