Water
The Village provides water to approximately 17,000 residential and business customers.
The DuPage Water Commission (DWC) purchases Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago and in turn, distributes and sells it to member communities, including Downers Grove.
Water supplied by the Village meets all Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) standards, including those for lead.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: CHANGES TO CHICAGO'S WATER TREATMENT METHODS
The DuPage Water Commission (DWC) purchases Lake Michigan water from the City of Chicago and in turn, distributes and sells it to member communities, including Downers Grove. Neither the DWC nor Downers Grove conducts any water treatment but only conveys the treated water from Chicago.
Over the next few months the City of Chicago is going to be changing some of their water treatment methods.
Water Quality
The Water Quality Report summarizes information about where our water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.
Lead Compliance
Lead pipes were banned by the U.S. EPA after 1986. Simply having a lead service line does not necessarily mean you have lead in your water. However, when a lead service line corrodes or is disrupted during maintenance, you may be at risk for contamination.
Water customers will receive notification from the Village regarding lead risks when one of the following occurs:
- The replacement of a watermain within one block of your location.
- The repair of a watermain break within one block of your location.
- The replacement of your water meter.
Can the water in my house be tested for lead?
A lead service line does not necessarily mean you have lead in your water. However if pipe corrosion occurs, you may be at a greater risk of exposure to lead. Since you cannot see, taste or smell lead in water, testing is a good way to detect its presence.
Testing costs can range between $20 and $100 and specific steps are required in order to draw an accurate sample. Several labs in the area are listed below:
Suburban Laboratories, Inc.
1950 S. Batavia Ave Ste 150
Geneva, IL 60134
(708) 544-3260
First Environmental Laboratories, Inc.
1600 Shore Road, Suite D
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 778-1200
Sterling Labs (STAT Analysis)
2242 W Harrison St., Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-0551
How much does it cost to replace a lead service line?
The cost of replacing a water service line varies significantly depending upon the length of the service and disturbance to paved areas and landscaping. It could cost a homeowner between $7,000 - $10,000 or more to install a new water service line from the house to the watermain.
What is the service line?
The service line is the portion of pipe which extends from the connection at the water system into your home.
How likely is it that I have a lead service line?
Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Homes built prior to 1930 most likely have a lead water service line (unless upgraded during a remodel).
- Homes built between 1930 and 1960 may have a lead service line.
- Homes built after 1960 are likely to have a copper service line.
Why do you need to enter my home, isn't the water meter outside?
Water meters are located inside the house and are typically in a basement, crawlspace or utility room.
Will I have to pay to replace the service line?
At this time, the Village is responsible for replacing the public side of the service line from the water main to the b-box shutoff, which is located near the property line. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to replace the private side of the service line. The replacement program will not begin until after November 15, 2027. The Village is actively seeking alternative funding options to help our residents with the expenses for the private side of the replacement. The Village may revisit who is responsible for the cost of the private side replacement as part of the Lead Service Line Replacement plan, prior to 2027.
Are any of the Village's water mains lead?
No. All 233 miles of water mains in the Village water system are constructed of iron or pvc pipe.
My indoor plumbing was replaced when I renovated, do I still need to participate?
Yes. Interior plumbing upgrades may not have included the replacement of the service line feeding the property, which is located outside and underground.
Can I ignore the survey? Do I really need to participate?
Your participation is needed to assist the Village in completing a community-wide inventory of lead service lines, as required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
For the purposes of this survey, if you do not respond, we will assume your service line is lead.
Will the Village notify me if I ever need to take special precautions with my drinking water?
Yes. If there is ever an issue that would warrant precautions to be taken with our drinking water, impacted residents would be notified immediately by a visit from a Village Public Works employee or a door hanger indicating the steps you will need to take.
I didn't know that my service line was lead, why didn't the Village inform me before?
The Village is performing the water service line inventory because the material used for some lines is unknown.
I don't want to deal with the hassle of replacing my service line, is replacing necessary?
Replacement of your lead service line is not required, but it is strongly recommended. If you do not want to have the private portion of the lead service line to your home replaced you must sign a waiver from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Will I be responsible for paying for the replacement of my service line?
The Village will determine who is responsible for the cost of the replacement of the private side of the water service line as part of the Lead Service Line Replacement plan prior to 2027.
I don't have a computer. How do I complete the survey?
If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Gabriel Lopez at 630-434-5489 for assistance.
I have a crawlspace and I am physically unable to identify my service line, what should I do?
If you are unable to identify your service line, please contact please contact Gabriel Lopez at 630-434-5489 to schedule an inspection. Please be advised that this will require access to your home by a Public Works employee.
Lead Service Line Replacement Plan
The Village completed a survey to identify Lead Service Lines within Downers Grove and is developing a plan for future replacement of both public and private service lines.
This process is in accordance with the State of Illinois Lead Service Replacement and Notification Act.
Get in the H2O Know
WaterSmart is a web portal where you can access detailed information about your household water use. You can view and analyze your water usage, check for leaks, and set up consumption alerts.
This is a free service. Register for WaterSmart today.
Fire Hydrants
The Village has 2,776 fire hydrants that are repaired, tested and flushed throughout the year.
Please report hydrants in need of repair to Public Works at 630.434.5460.
Lead Service Line Replacement Plan
The Village completed a survey to identify Lead Service Lines within Downers Grove and is developing a plan for future replacement of both public and private service lines.
This process is in accordance with the State of Illinois Lead Service Replacement and Notification Act.
Get in the H2O Know
WaterSmart is a web portal where you can access detailed information about your household water use. You can view and analyze your water usage, check for leaks, and set up consumption alerts.
This is a free service. Register for WaterSmart today.
Fire Hydrants
The Village has 2,776 fire hydrants that are repaired, tested and flushed throughout the year.
Please report hydrants in need of repair to Public Works at 630.434.5460.
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