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.
​
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:
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Click below to view the regulatory guidance from the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
​
​
​
​
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.
​
If you remain under the advisory, please continue regularly using your tap water to keep this process moving as quickly as possible.
​
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.
-
Run your cold tap for 2-3 minutes when water has sat stagnant in internal plumbing, and
-
filter cold tap water through faucet or pitcher filters that are certified to remove lead before consuming tap water.
Get Resources
​
Aqua Distribution Center
24650 S. Western Ave.
University Park, IL
​
Hours*:
​
Monday:
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
​
Wednesday:
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
​
Saturday:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
​
*Closed on national holidays
Contact Us:
Customer Service
​877.987.2782
​
​
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
Latest Community Update:
March 23, 2020
​
As part of our ongoing commitment to our customers, we are doing everything we can to continue offering distribution center services to our University Park customers who are under the advisory during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please know that today at the distribution center, each customer is receiving
six gallons of water due to limited supply, as demand for bottled water has increased nationally.
We are hopeful this will allow us to provide bottled water to as many customers as possible.
While we have every intention of continuing our distribution center services, we have been in contact with our water suppliers and continued shortages may require us to further limit or adjust our operations in the coming days. At this time, we are continuing to explore options to avoid supply shortages.
Remember, under the advisory, you can consume your tap water at home after running your cold tap water for two to three minutes and using a certified filter, like the ones we provided. You can also continue using unfiltered tap water for non-consumption uses.
Your bills will not be impacted by water use because your water bills are waived, and sewer bills are capped at rates set before the advisory began.
As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our customers and employees, we will provide further updates as this situation evolves.
Previous Community Updates:
Get Resources
To receive faucet and pitcher filters, filter replacements, bottled water or one-gallon jugs of water, please visit the Aqua Distribution Center, where a member of our team will load resources directly into your vehicle.
​
Address: Aqua Distribution Center
24650 S. Western Ave.
University Park, IL. 60484
Hours*: Monday:
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
​
Wednesday:
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
​
Saturday:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
​
*Closed on national holidays
​
As always, we ask that you bring a State ID or Aqua bill as proof of residence.
​
Call the Aqua Customer Service Center at 877.987.2782 to:
-
Coordinate home deliveries if you are homebound or physically unable to pick up resources at the distribution center. Be sure to call by Friday each week to receive a home delivery the next week. Home water deliveries will take place on Tuesdays and include up to four cases of bottled water or 12 one-gallon jugs for the week.
-
Request water sample kits.
-
Request more information.
We thank you for your patience as we continue building on our progress until this is resolved.
​
To speak to a customer representative, please call 877.987.2782
For media inquires, please call 312.800.8414