June 2019 community updates

6/19/19 - IF YOU ARE STILL UNDER THE DO NOT CONSUME ADVISORY:

We would like to update our customers regarding our ongoing efforts to ensure your safety and access to the most recent information.
 
Until further notification, customers in do not consume areas should not drink, prepare formula, make ice cubes, cook or use tap water for brushing teeth and should instead use filtered or bottled water. 

On Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20, Aqua Illinois will be delivering complimentary water filters to customers who remain affected by the do not consume advisory. These customers should refer to the filter instructions included with the water filters to ensure safe use. These filters, when used properly, will ensure your tap water is safe to consume.
 
Please note, if you live in the following areas, your home has been removed from the do not consume advisory and it is safe to consume your tap water: ​​ Arbors at Hickory Creek Fairway Club Estates Pine Woods Court Governors State University All service areas West of I-57 All service areas West of Old Monee Steger Road Thornwood House Apartments Rosedale Subdivision (including: Cody Lane; Madisen Lane; Cassandra Lane; and Kevin Lane) ​ Until further notification, we recommend customers in these areas flush the fixtures in their homes for two minutes prior to consuming tap water. ​ In addition, on Thursday, June 20, customers may visit an information center at the Community Center at 90 Towncenter Dr., University Park. The information center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to provide residents the opportunity to learn more about the do not consume advisory and sign up for WaterSmart Alerts and water testing. A water truck will be onsite to provide access to safe water. Please bring containers if you would like a member of our team to fill them.
We are committed to ensuring our customers’ safety and will continue working with these communities to reduce the impact on our customers as much as possible. We appreciate your patience throughout this process Please vcall 877.987.2782 for more information.



6/18/19 - Update for Aqua customers in University Park and Monee Township

As of this morning, Aqua Illinois has eliminated some additional areas from the do not consume notice through localized testing. These areas include: all service areas West of Old Monee Steger Road; the Thornwood House Apartments; and Rosedale Subdivision, including: Cody Lane; Madisen Lane; Cassandra Lane; and Kevin Lane. Previously eliminated areas include Arbors at Hickory Creek, Fairway Club Estates, Governors State University and all service areas West of I-57. Please know if you live in any of these areas, it is safe to consume your water. We still recommend residents in these areas flush their systems for two minutes or until their water runs clear prior to consumption.

Until further notification, customers outside those areas should still not drink, prepare formula, make ice cubes, cook or use tap water for brushing teeth and should instead use filtered or bottled water. We are actively analyzing water testing results and will release additional information as it becomes available.

We are making progress as we continue to narrow in on the affected area, though we recognize the inconvenience for our customers and will remain active partners with these communities to minimize the impact as much as possible.

We will continue to ensure our customers have access to clean water. If you have more questions, please call 877.987.2782 for more information. Your safety is our top priority, and we thank you for your patience throughout this process.



6/16/19 - Update for Aqua customers in University Park, Green Garden and Monee Township

It is safe to consume water in the following areas.

Arbors at Hickory Creek
Fairway Club Estates
Governors State University
Areas West of I-57

Aqua Illinois customers’ safety continues to be our top priority. At this time, we want to provide you with the latest update regarding water in University Park, Green Garden and Monee Township. Through localized testing, Aqua Illinois has eliminated some areas from the do not consume notice. It is safe to consume water in the following areas: Arbors at Hickory Creek, Fairway Club Estates, Governors State University and all service areas West of I-57. We still recommend residents in those areas flush their systems for two minutes or until their water runs clear before consuming water. While this is a positive step, we realize the inconvenience for our customers and we will remain on the ground working with these communities to minimize the impact as much as possible.

Until further notification, customers outside those areas should still not drink, prepare formula, make ice cubes, cook or use tap water for brushing teeth and should instead use filtered or bottled water. We are actively analyzing water quality results in other areas and will release additional information as it becomes available.

We will continue to ensure our customers have access to clean water. If you have more questions, please call 877.987.2782 for more information. We thank you for your patience throughout this process.



6/15/19 - Flushing of Hydrants

Due to flushing of hydrants, residents may notice water discoloration and that is normal; during this time, residents should flush all water fixtures in their homes for two minutes or until the water runs clear.



6/14/19 - Aqua customers in the University Park, Green Garden and Monee Township water systems:

Aqua has issued a do not consume water advisory due to elevated lead levels in some test sample results in your system.

The safety of our customers is our top priority. We are immediately working to resample these homes and will evaluate those results as soon as they are received from the testing laboratory. While we do not believe our infrastructure, including both our water mains and service lines, contains lead, we are moving swiftly to identify the source of the lead.

While we investigate all potential causes for these elevated lead levels, out of an abundance of caution, we are requesting that all University Park, Green Garden and Monee Township customers not drink, cook or use tap water for brushing teeth and that you use filtered or bottled water. We will be delivering bottled water to affected customers today. You may still use water from the tap to bathe or wash hands.

Aqua Illinois will be offering all University Park, Green Garden and Monee Township customers free water testing. We will alert our customers with information on how to obtain water testing kits. We will continue to post further sampling results and updates.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation and patience during this process.



6/19/19 - The following is a statement from Aqua Illinois President, Craig Blanchette:

“We would like to start by offering our sincere apology to the residents of University Park for the inconvenience this situation has caused. The safety of our customers has been and will always be our top priority. Aqua Illinois will continue to operate with complete transparency and open communication until this is resolved. As you know, on June 14, we issued a do not consume advisory for University Park, Green Garden and Monee Townships out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of our customers. Since that time, we have undergone a comprehensive testing protocol and have been able to remove a large portion of this service area from the do not consume advisory. Our testing results and investigation indicate our water treatment facility, water mains, service lines and source water do not contain lead. Although we continue our rigorous investigation, at this time, we believe the source of the lead is tied to an adjustment in the treatment which appears to have changed the water chemistry so that existing lead in internal plumbing of older properties was released into the water. We continue to work very closely with the regulatory agencies to restore safe drinking water for all affected customers. Over the last five days, we have had a strong presence in the community, delivering 10,000 cases of water, launching an informational website, delivering water filters for each residence, sending phone messages and email alerts, and visiting every home to deliver information at least four times. While we continue to work around the clock to restore safe tap water for our remaining customers, we have put in place a plan to lessen the burden on our customers and provide ongoing information. We are also working with the University Park Mayor’s Office to open an information center where residents can confirm whether they remain under the do not consume advisory, request water testing, receive water, and enroll in WaterSmart alerts to receive the most current updates.” ​ If you have additional questions, please call 877.987.2782.



6/21/19 - Aqua Illinois Information Center

Today, Friday, June 21, customers may visit Aqua Illinois’ information center at the Community Center at 90 Towncenter Dr., University Park. The information center is open until 9:00 p.m. to provide residents the opportunity to:
Learn more about the do not consume advisory Sign up for WaterSmart Alerts Pick up and drop off water testing kits Pick up water filter pitchers, if you have not yet received one ​ Please note that customers should refer to the instructions included with the water filter pitchers to ensure safe use. These filters, when used properly, will ensure your tap water is safe to consume.

A water truck will be onsite to provide access to safe water. Please be sure to bring containers if you would like a member of our team to fill them.

We remain committed to resolving this issue as soon as possible, and ensuring your continued safety throughout this process. As always, we appreciate your patience.

If you have questions, please call 877.987.2782 for more information.



6/23/19 - Aqua Illinois customers who remain under the Do Not Consume Advisory:

We’d like to remind you that you can pick up jugs of drinking water or fill your own water containers with safe drinking water at Aqua’s customer information center at 90 Towncenter Drive. You can also pick up a filter pitcher, filters and a water sample kit at the center. Aqua staff is also on site to answer your questions. Aqua’s customer information center will be open today, Sunday, June 23, until 9 p.m. We’ll also open the center from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, June 24 through Saturday, June 29. The center will be closed on Sunday, June 30. The center will reopen on Monday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please call 877.987.2782 if you have any questions. We apologize for this situation and appreciate your support as we continue to work to resolve this issue.



6/21/19 - A message from Craig Blanchette, President of Aqua Illinois:

“I appreciate your patience as we continue working to remove each property from the do not consume advisory. In order to expedite the process, Aqua Illinois is asking customers to run all faucets in their homes, working from the lower floors upward. Turn on all the faucets and let them all run for 30 minutes. Then turn them off, starting at the lower floors and working upward. This will help the new treatment process re-establish the protective coating inside the impacted homes. For your inconvenience, if you were ever under the do not consume advisory, you will see no current charges on your next water and sewer bill. Please call 877.987.2782 for the latest information or if you have questions. The information center at 90 Towncenter Dr., University Park will be open tomorrow and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Again, I apologize for this inconvenience and want you to know I am working diligently to resolve this issue and continue providing safe water to you and your family.”



6/25/19 - An update on our ongoing efforts

We’d like to provide you with the latest update on our ongoing efforts to ensure you have access to safe water for your homes and families while we work hard to restore safe drinking water to your community.

Today, Aqua has a team out delivering bottled water to customers who remain under the do not consume advisory. To date, Aqua has delivered 18,000 cases of water. Customers can also request water deliveries through our website, WaterFactsIL.com, or by calling 877.987.2782.

We also have a water truck onsite at our information center, which is open today until 7 p.m., where a member of our team can fill your personal containers.

Please visit WaterFactsIL.com for the latest updates from Aqua Illinois. We thank you for your continued patience as we work to resolve this situation.



6/26/19 - We’re reaching out today to ensure you stay updated on important information related to the lead situation in your area.

We’re reaching out today to ensure you stay updated on important information related to the lead situation in your area. As of tomorrow, Thursday, June 27, we will have faucet water filters available for pick-up at our information center. These filters, when used properly, will ensure your water is safe to consume at the tap. Please refer to and closely follow the instructions included with the faucet water filters to ensure safe use. We hope that these faucet filters will make your daily lives easier as we work to resolve this situation. ​ At our information center, we continue to offer water filter pitchers, water testing kits, bottled water and an onsite water truck from which a member of our team can fill personal containers with water. Also at the information center, you can sign up for WaterSmart Alerts, and pick up information on lead assessments, which include testing the home, sampling blood and testing water. If you would like a lead assessment, please be sure to complete, sign and return all documents to the information center by July 6. ​ Please know that Aqua Illinois’ water delivery is ongoing, and you can request water deliveries to your home through our website, or by calling 877.987.2782. ​ Finally, if you have not already done so, we’re asking you to run all faucets in your home, working from the lower floors upward. Turn on all the faucets and let them all run for 30 minutes. Then turn them off, starting at the lower floors and working upward. This will help the new treatment process re-establish the protective coating inside your home. After flushing, please use the water faucets in your home regularly for washing hands and other non-consumption uses so that fresh water continues to be replenished in the home plumbing. Cleaning aerators is another important step for protecting your household against lead. ​ Please visit the Resident Resources section of this website for more detailed instructions on flushing your system and cleaning your aerators, as well as for the latest updates. Call 877.987.2782 if you have additional questions.



6/30/19 - Aqua Illinois would like to share an update about our hours at the Information Center.

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 30, the Aqua Illinois Information Center located at 90 Towncenter Drive in University Park will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Customers can visit the information center to pick up bottled water, water pitcher and faucet filters, fill water jugs, apply for lead assessments, and pick up and drop off water sampling kits. Normal operating hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. will resume Monday, July 1. ​ Aqua Illinois continues to prioritize the health and safety of all our customers as we work to resolve this issue. Thank you for your patience as we work to restore safe drinking water for all customers in University Park. ​ Please visit WaterFactsIL.com for more information or call 877.987.2782 if you have questions.