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1. Where does my water come from?

The source for all village water is Lake Michigan . The water treatment process is conducted at the City of Chicago's Jardine Water Purification Plant. Oak Brook then purchases its water from the DuPage Water Commission (DWC). In the year 2011, a total of 1,060,128,000 gallons of water were pumped from the three receiving stations, averaging 2,904,000 gallons per day. The village also maintains three deep wells for emergency purposes. The wells are routinely operated and tested to ensure a safe supply of water if needed.

2. What causes the "musty" taste and odor in the water?

The Village of Oak Brook Water Department typically receives an increase in taste and odor complaints during the summer months when water temperatures increase. Most complaints generally are that the water has an earthy, musty smell and taste. This is generally the result of compounds produced by blue-green algae and other vegetation found in Lake Michigan. Taste and odors may be more noticeable when the lake water gets warmer. Refrigerating the water will minimize the taste and odors. The presence of taste and odors does not affect the safety of the drinking water. The Chicago Water Department adds powdered activated carbon (PAC) to the water at the Jardine Water Purification Plant. The application rate of PAC is based upon the concentration of water vegetation and the number of taste and odor complaints received.

Residents are urged to contact the village with any taste and odor complaints. Once received, they are forwarded to the DuPage Water Commission, who then logs them with the City of Chicago Water Department. When there is a rise in complaints, they increase their treatment. However, due to the distance, it takes approximately 24 hours for the DuPage Water Commission to receive the water. It then takes another 24 hours to get into the village’s distribution system. We also suggest residents refrigerate their drinking water. The decreased temperature helps alleviate the problem.

3. Why does my water sometimes smell or taste like chlorine?

Chlorine is added to drinking water for several reasons. First and foremost, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the United State Environmental Protection Agency require that all water plants disinfect the water. The Chicago Water Department uses chlorine for this purpose. Second, a minimal amount of chlorine is added to assure that the water remains safe as it travels from the treatment plant to your home. A few individuals, who are sensitive to chlorine, can detect the chlorine taste and odor at these low levels.

4. What do you test for in the water?

Oak Brook strives to deliver a consistent, high quality, drinking water. Many steps must be taken to attain this goal. Daily monitoring is conducted at all three receiving stations. Numerous water samples are collected throughout the village during the year to meet State and Federal water quality requirements. If you would like to view the Comprehensive Chemical Analysis form, please visit DuPage Water Commission - Comprehensive Chemical Analysis.  

Oak Brook Water System Annual Consumer Confidence Report. Click here is see the most recent Water Quality Report (PDF).

5. How can I have my water tested?

Services for water testing are available from private laboratories for a fee. This fee varies greatly depending on the number of constituents you would like tested for. To obtain a booklet of qualified laboratories call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Laboratories, at (217) 782-6455.

6. Do water filters work and should I use one?

As with most products, some filters works better than others. There are many types of filters available, each type works differently and will remove different substances from the water. It will be very helpful for you to know exactly why you want to filter the water before you speak to the seller of water treatment devises. If you choose to filter your water, there are several resources available to you to assist in choosing a filter that works properly and will meet your needs. Consumer Reports Magazine occasionally will compare types of water filters and explain which types remove which constituents. They also compare various models and report on which ones work the best. A list of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approved water treatment devices is available by calling the NSF at (800) 673-8010.

Please note: If you do install a water filter, follow the operating and maintenance instructions very carefully. An improperly installed and / or maintained filter can adversely affect the water quality. Regardless if you choose to use a water filter or not, the water provided by the Village of Oak Brook meets all State and Federal drinking water standards

7. Do I need to treat the water before I use it for my fish?

Yes. Your drinking water contains disinfectants to inhibit bacterial growth. These disinfectants can kill fish. The water supplied by the Village of Oak Brook contains chlorine. Adding the appropriate chemicals, which are available at most pet stores, can neutralize chlorine. Chlorine can also be removed with a granular activated carbon (GAC) water filter. Chlorine can also be removed from the water by letting a container of the water sit exposed to the atmosphere (uncovered) for at least 48 hours. Some fish, particularly tropical fish and Koi, are also sensitive to rapid changes in the temperature and pH of the water - even small changes. If you are going to change the water in an aquarium or pond, or add a significant amount of new water, consult an experienced fish care expert for tips on how to accomplish this without shocking or killing your fish.

Some people may be concerned that water harmful to fish might not be safe for them to drink. This concern is not necessary. Humans and fish use water in very different ways. When humans drink water, the chlorine is neutralized by our digestive system before it enters our bloodstream. When fish "breathe" water, any chlorine present enters their bloodstream directly. This interferes with the fish's ability to absorb oxygen from the water and can cause the fish to suffocate.

8. Does the water contain fluoride?

Yes. In Illinois, the Department of Public Health requires the addition for fluoride to potable water to provide children with the proper dental health care. Fluoride in drinking water is primarily absorbed into the blood stream and deposited on the teeth of children up to the age of about eight.

9. How hard is my water and should I use a water softener?

Dissolved minerals make water hard; as the amount of minerals in the water increases, the water becomes harder. Two common minerals found dissolved in drinking water are calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. There is usually much more calcium carbonate than magnesium carbonate present in water; therefore, water hardness is reported as the amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) dissolved in the water. There are two units of measurement for hardness commonly used in the United States , grains per gallon and milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate (mg/L as CaCO3). The conversion factor is 17.1 mg / L as CaCO3 = one grain of hardness per gallon. Oak Brook's water is about eight grains per gallon or 137 mg / L as CaCO3. Average well water hardness is approximately 20 to 21 grains per gallon or 340 mg / L as CaCO3.

Water softening is the process of removing the minerals from the water and is commonly accomplished by either reverse osmosis filtration or ion exchange. Reverse osmosis filtration units can handle only small volumes of water and is usually performed at a single point of use, such as the kitchen sink. Ion exchange units can handle large volumes of water and are usually installed on the incoming water supply line to a property. Ion exchange systems exchange sodium ions for the calcium and magnesium ions in the water. Medical studies show that people who live in areas with hard water have reduced occurrences of cardiovascular illness compared to people who live in areas with soft water. You should consult your physician before making artificially softened water your primary source of drinking water.

10. Do I have radon in the water?

No. Radon is virtually non-detectable in surface water supplies such as Lake Michigan.

11. Why does my water get milky white?

Milky white water, also commonly described as cloudy, hazy, soapy, or foamy, is almost always caused by air in the water. One of the many properties of water is its ability to dissolve gases-including air. Sometimes the air escapes from the water in the form of many tiny bubbles; this gives the water a milky white appearance.

To see if the white color in the water is due to air, fill a clear glass with water and set it on the counter. Observe the glass of water for two or three minutes. If the white color is due to air, the water will begin to clear at the bottom of the glass first and then gradually will clear all the way to the top. This is a natural phenomenon and is completely normal; the water is safe to use. This situation can happen when the water gets cold, or whenever the water has been turned off for repairs. Cold water holds more dissolved air than warm water. In the winter and spring, the water is cold and contains a relatively high level of dissolved air. As the water moves through the water mains in the street and the pipes in your house, it begins to warm up and lose some of its ability to keep the air dissolved. However, because the water is under pressure in the pipes, the air remains in the water. When you relieve the pressure by opening the faucet and filling your glass with water, the air is now free to escape from the water, giving it a milky appearance for a few minutes. This same set of circumstances is also why you will often see that your hot water is cloudy.

Another way for this milky white water to form is after your water utility has worked on a water main or you have had work done on your plumbing. When the water is shut off, air can get into the water main or your pipes. When the water pressure is restored, some of that air dissolves into the water. When you again relieve the pressure by opening the faucet and filling your glass, the air is now free to escape from the water thus giving it a milky white appearance for a few minutes.

If your water is cloudy or milky white in appearance and it does not clear in a glass after five minutes, you should contact the Water Department.

12. Why are there water restrictions?

As a contractual condition of receiving Lake Michigan water each utility has to enact indoor and outdoor water restrictions. The indoor water restrictions include plumbing codes that require the installation of water conserving fixtures. Outdoor water restrictions include such things as restricting water sprinkling during the hottest time of the day to minimize evaporation.

Many customers might think that because we are supplied with lake water, watering restrictions are unnecessary. This is not the case. Contractually, we are restricted to how much we can obtain through the Commission, and like the other end users of lake water, outside watering restrictions are mandated. The following are watering restrictions for the village. Please note, these restrictions were developed to insure sufficient and proper times to satisfy lawn care needs.

• Odd-numbered street addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
• Even-numbered street addresses: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• Time: 6:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.
• No water is allowed on Monday
• Customers utilizing watering cans or hand-held watering devices may water at any time on any day.
• Customers with private wells are encouraged to utilize their well for all outside water usage.
• Newly planted sod or seed may be sprinkled for a maximum period of two weeks from the date of installation. Please notify the village’s Water Department at (630) 368-5270.

13. Who should I contact for billing questions?

Call the Water Billing Department at (630) 368-5090.

14. Who should I contact about my water pipes or water meter?

Please contact the Public Works Department at (630) 368-5270 if you have any additional questions or concerns.