Press Release

October 5, 2007

 

Ford Heights area water well testing recommended

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health is advising residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Ford Heights area to test their water for possible groundwater contamination. Routine testing of the city’s municipal water wells by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) indicates contamination could be present in the area’s private wells.

Although the contaminants were found in Ford Heights’ source water, contaminants are removed at the city’s water supply treatment plant to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, so those using the public water supply are not affected.

Persons with private wells located within the area north of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad, east of Illinois Route 394, west of Cottage Grove Avenue, and south of 8th Street, are encouraged to have their water tested by a private laboratory.

Contaminants detected include vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene, exceeding the groundwater quality standards and 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethylene, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, dichloromethane, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloropropane, and xylenes at levels less than groundwater standards.

A list of private laboratories approved for testing can be obtained by calling the Illinois Department of Public Health’s West Chicago office at 630-293-6800. Once samples have been analyzed, residents can call the health department for an explanation of the test results.

The risk of adverse health effects depends on the level of contaminants in the water and the duration of exposure. Long-term exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of liver and kidney damage, immune system effects, and cancer.

This information has been compiled from historic data and is provided to the public to ensure full disclosure of state records.





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Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
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