Consuming Tap Water Under the Advisory
USEPA recommends a number of steps to reduce lead in drinking water including flushing your water before drinking, cleaning your faucet aerator, and using cold water for drinking and cooking. You can flush your home’s pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. Additionally, if you use a filter, proper installation and maintenance of filters is important to ensure filter effectiveness in reducing lead levels. EPA recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper filter use. Even if water contains lead, because your skin does not absorb it from water, uses such as washing hands, bathing, and washing dishes are still safe for children and adults.
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To learn more visit: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#reducehome
Citizens of University Park can consume your tap water, if you take the following steps first:
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Click below to view the regulatory guidance from the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
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Making Progress in Your Community
Our water sampling results show the community’s water quality is improving. We continue to work collaboratively with regulators and the nation’s leading water chemistry experts since discovering elevated lead levels in some University Park homes in June.
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If you remain under the advisory, please continue regularly using your tap water to keep this process moving as quickly as possible.
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As we work together toward a resolution, we remain committed to keeping you informed and doing all we can to be a good community partner. We appreciate your ongoing cooperation and patience.
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Run your cold tap for 2-3 minutes when water has sat stagnant in internal plumbing, and
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filter cold tap water through faucet or pitcher filters that are certified to remove lead before consuming tap water.
Get Resources
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Aqua Distribution Center
24650 S. Western Ave.
University Park, IL
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Open:
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Monday, Wednesday
& Friday*:
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Saturday:
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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*Closed on national holidays
Contact Us:
Customer Service
​877.987.2782
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Public Education Materials:
Click to view the video above for the latest progress updates and important information for those homes that remain under the advisory.
Helpful Information
Resident
Resources
How to Consume
FAQs
Contact
News and Updates
Monthly Data Update:
To ensure continued transparency as we work with national experts and regulators to build on our progress in University Park, we will post monthly compliance data and post-flushing data here by the 10th of each month. Please check back for the next data update on Feb. 10, 2020.
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For the latest compliance data, please click here.
To view previous compliance data updates, please click here.
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For the latest post-flushing data, please click here.
To view previous post-flushing data updates, please click here.
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Latest Community Update:
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January 16, 2020
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If you are under the advisory, we want to remind you it is important that you replace your filters as needed to ensure proper use. For the faucet filter, start planning to replace the filter once the indicator light flashes yellow. When the indicator light is red, it is time to replace the filter. Be sure to follow all manufacturers’ instructions included with the faucet and pitcher filters to determine when you need a replacement.
We are continuing to offer free filter replacements so you can consume your cold tap water if you run it for two to three minutes and filter it through filters that are certified by the NSF to remove lead. You can always heat up your filtered, cold tap water prior to consumption.
For distribution center hours, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency guidance on how to use your water under the advisory and the latest information, please continue to visit WaterFactsIL.com. If you have questions, you can reach us at 877.987.2782.
Thank you for your continued patience as we build on our progress in your community.
Previous Community Updates:
Get Resources
To receive faucet and pitcher filters, filter replacements or bottled water, please visit the new Aqua Distribution Center, where a member of our team will load resources directly into your vehicle.
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Address: Aqua Distribution Center
24650 S. Western Ave.
University Park, IL. 60484
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday*:
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
Saturday:
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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*Closed on national holidays, including Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2019, and
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2020.
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As always, we ask that you bring a State ID or Aqua bill as proof of residence.
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Call the Aqua Customer Service Center at 877.987.2782 to:
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Coordinate home deliveries if you are physically unable to pick up resources at the distribution center
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Request water sample kits
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Request more information
We thank you for your patience as we continue building on our progress until this is resolved.
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To speak to a customer representative, please call 877.987.2782
For media inquires, please call 312.800.8414