June 10, 2009

State Health Department Recommends Water Well Testing for Sauk Village Area

SAUK VILLAGE, Ill. - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising residents who obtain their drinking water from private wells in the Sauk Village area to test their water for possible groundwater contamination. Routine testing of Sauk Village’s municipal water wells by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) indicates contaminants could be present in the area’s private wells.

The contaminant vinyl chloride was detected in Sauk Village’s untreated well water at a level higher than the Illinois Groundwater Standard, which is two micrograms per liter (µg/l).  The contaminant cis-1,2 dichloroethylene was detected in the untreated well water at a level lower than the Illinois Groundwater Standard, which is 70 µg/L. Although the level of cis-1,2 dichloroethylene was lower than the standard, this is the same groundwater that serves private wells and it is possible levels of cis-1,2 dichloroethylene may be higher in private wells.

Persons with private wells located within the public notice area (see map below) are encouraged to have their water tested for volatile organic compounds by a private laboratory.

For a list of laboratories certified to analyze drinking water for volatile organic compounds, interpretation of test results, contaminant health effects information, and recommendations for individuals who regularly consume well water, contact Joe O’Connor, IDPH West Chicago Regional Office, 245 West Roosevelt Road, Bldg 5, West Chicago, IL. 60185, phone (630) 293-6800 or joe.o’connor@illinois.gov.

The risk of adverse health effects depends on the level of contaminants in the water and the length of exposure. Long-term exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of liver and kidney effects.

The water supplied by Sauk Village’s community water supply currently meets all United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) drinking water standards.  No violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels have occurred in Sauk Village’s treated drinking water, although the annual average concentration of vinyl chloride is close to violating the standard.

For information concerning the community water supply contact Carol L. Fuller, Community Relations Coordinator, Office of Community Relations, Illinois EPA 217/524-8807 carol.fuller@illinois.gov.

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