IEPA issues Drinking Water Alert to users of the Windmill Estates and Skyview Subdivision Community Water Supply

SPRINGFIELD—The Illinois EPA has issued a second Drinking Water Alert to consumers who are using the Windmill Estates and Skyview Subdivision Community Water Supply.  The owners of the water system have not been conducting proper water quality monitoring to determine the bacterial safety of the water system.  Fecal coliform, or E. coli, bacteria may be present in the water supply. These bacteria can make you ill, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.

 

For an extended period of time, the owners of the water system have not conducted required monitoring of the water system.  Without proper monitoring as required by United States and Illinois law and regulation, the water supply cannot be considered safe from bacterial contamination.  Bacteria can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source, for example, following heavy rains. It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes), a failure in the water treatment process, or through a cross-connection.

 

The Illinois EPA, with assistance from U.S. EPA, will inform the residents when the testing of your water system resumes and that a determination can be made regarding bacterial safety of your drinking water.  Once routine monitoring demonstrates that Windmill Estates and Skyview Subdivision water system is in compliance with federal and state regulation, residents will be notified as to when they no longer need to boil water.    

 

In the meantime, the Illinois EPA offers this guidance:

 

·        DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for five minutes, and let it cool before using; or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

 

·        If fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria are present in the water supply, it indicates that the water may have been contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

 

Note: The symptoms above can also result from many other causes. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

 

For more information, please contact Dave McMillan at 217-785-4787 or Dave.McMillan@Illinois.gov. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.