Bellwood

This year, as in previous years, your tap water met nearly all USEPA and state water health standards. Our system diligently protects its water supply, and we're pleased to report no violations of contaminant levels or water quality standards during the past year.

This report summarizes the quality of water we provided last year, including details about your water source, its composition, and how it compares to regulatory standards. Bellwood purchases Lake Michigan water through an agreement with the Village of Melrose Park. We also maintain three backup wells within Bellwood Village boundaries, drilled into the Galesville and Mt. Simon aquifers, used only for emergencies.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals (naturally occurring or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, farming)
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential use
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

EPA regulations limit contaminants in public water systems to ensure tap water safety, while FDA regulations establish limits for bottled water to provide similar public health protection. Some people may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population, including those with compromised immune systems (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients), elderly individuals, and infants. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers about drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available through the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water comes primarily from materials associated with service lines and home plumbing. We can't control all plumbing component materials. To minimize lead exposure, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at https://www.EPA.gov/safewater/lead.

1. What is the address for mailing in payments?
   Payments must be mailed to Arizona Water Company P.O. Box 29098 Phoenix, AZ 85038-9098 Fax: 602-240-6874
2. How can I change my mailing address for bills?
   You can call or visit your local Arizona Water Company office to complete a Customer Information Change form, or email your local office with your (1) account name, (2) account number, (3) old address, and (4) new address.
3. When I leave home for several months, can I request water service be turned off?
   You may request service disconnection in two ways:
   - Final Bill: Service is disconnected and a final bill issued. If you reconnect within a year, you must pay back minimums or eight times the minimum (whichever is less) as a restoration fee.
   - Courtesy Off: Service is disconnected until you request reconnection. Minimum bills continue monthly. This option is ideal for temporarily vacant properties.
4. Is there a charge for courtesy turn-on or turn-off service?
   Arizona Water Company provides this service free during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) with three days' advance notice when possible. After-hours service incurs a $35 fee.
5. Who is eligible for SurePay?
   All residential and business customers billed by Arizona Water Company with accounts in good standing and not subject to existing payment arrangements.
6. What does SurePay cost?
   Arizona Water Company charges no sign-up or participation fees, though some financial institutions may charge for electronic fund transfers.
7. How will I know when my SurePay enrollment is active?
   Within one or two billing cycles, your water bill will show the date of the first automatic deduction. Active participants will see a SurePay notice on all bills. Continue making regular payments until participation becomes effective.
8. What happens if a SurePay payment is rejected?
   Financial institutions may reject payments due to insufficient funds, closed/unauthorized accounts, or other reasons. Check with your institution about potential fees. Arizona Water Company will add its service fee to your next bill and reserves the right to terminate your SurePay participation.
9. How do I change my SurePay information?
   For address changes, contact your local Arizona Water Company office. For bank account changes, submit a new SurePay Application and Authorization. The Company isn't responsible for charges resulting from incorrect information or delayed notification of changes.
10. How do I cancel SurePay?
    Complete, print, sign and mail/fax the SurePay cancellation form to the address provided. Cancellation becomes effective within 10 business days of receipt.
11. Will Arizona Water Company contact me requesting bank or credit card information?
    No. Never provide personal information to unknown callers.
12. How can I identify company employees, and will they need to enter my home?
    All employees wear uniforms with the Arizona Water Company logo clearly visible, drive branded vehicles, and carry photo ID badges. Staff will never ask to enter your home to check water quality unless specifically requested by you for a water audit.