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.

1. Run your cold tap for 2-3 minutes when water has sat stagnant in internal plumbing, and
   
    

2. filter cold tap water through faucet or pitcher filters that are certified to remove lead before consuming tap water.

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.