Bensenville

This water quality report has been prepared to inform you about the quality of water and services that the Village of Bensenville's Public Works Department - Utilities Division provides daily. This informational report requires no action from residents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates this report be made available to all community members pursuant to the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act.

This report summarizes the water quality provided during the 2017 calendar year. It includes details about your water source, composition, and how it compares to USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) and IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) standards.

WATER UTILITY INFORMATION
If you have questions about this report or concerns about your water system, please contact Public Works at 630-350-3435. Residents interested in learning more about the water system are welcome to attend regularly scheduled Village Board meetings held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 pm at Village Hall (12 S. Center Street).

MISSION STATEMENT
Throughout 2017 (and for the past decade), your tap water has consistently met all USEPA and State Drinking Water Health Standards. The Village of Bensenville remains committed to delivering an adequate supply of safe, clean, quality water to all customers.

HISTORY
Bensenville began as a dairy farming community. The Village incorporated in 1884 to establish a local school system. It has since grown to become one of Illinois' ten largest industrial communities. Through strategic planning and ongoing improvements, Bensenville has earned its reputation as one of DuPage County's most valued communities, with a population of 18,352 residents (according to the 2010 Census).

The Village began receiving Lake Michigan water from the DuPage Water Commission in May 1992. The water enters through a metering station on Church Street. The Village maintains one pressure adjusting station that receives water at 120 PSI and reduces it to 60 PSI before distribution. From there, water is pumped through the distribution system to customers and storage facilities.

Bensenville's Utilities Division maintains 68 miles of water mains, 1,143 fire hydrants, and over 4,900 customer water services and meters. In 2017, the Village purchased 566,354,000 gallons from the DuPage Water Commission, distributing a daily average of 1.59 million gallons with a maximum daily usage of 2.8 million gallons. The Village also maintains three emergency standby wells that weren't used in 2017 but are regularly maintained and tested for emergency preparedness.

WATER SUPPLY SOURCE
Bensenville, along with 24 other municipal water suppliers and 2 private utility companies, purchases water from the DuPage Water Commission, which receives treated water from Chicago's Department of Water Management. Chicago draws water from Lake Michigan through two treatment plants: the Jardine Water Purification Plant serving northern areas and the South Water Purification Plant serving southern regions.

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely contained within the United States. It borders Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, spanning 307 miles long, 30-120 miles wide, with depths reaching 923 feet. It serves as both a drinking water source and recreational destination. The EPA has noted significant improvements in Lake Michigan's water quality over recent decades.

WATER HEATER ISSUES

Is your water heater's relief valve causing problems? It might be malfunctioning. If you've already inspected it, verify the temperature isn't set too high. Water expansion due to heating can create excessive pressure in a closed water line system. Another uncommon situation might occur after repairing or replacing toilet tank components. Older toilet models with floating ball mechanisms can release surging water pressure through the tank rather than at your water heater. Newer water level control designs prevent this. If these solutions don't help, consider installing an expansion tank to capture overflow and prevent potential damage.

TOILET LEAKS

Suspect a leaking toilet? Here's a simple test: Add food coloring or Kool-Aid to the toilet tank. If the colored water appears in the bowl, you likely have a faulty flapper valve or chain adjustment issue. A defective toilet flapper can increase water usage by up to 20,000 gallons monthly – literally flushing money away.

HARD WATER PROBLEMS

Our region is known for hard water – named because it's more challenging to work with. It requires more soap, shampoo, and detergent than soft water for the same cleaning effectiveness. With abundant limestone and dissolved minerals in our area, hard water is natural. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, at least 85% of the country has hard water. After treatment, water entering homes is classified as "slightly or moderately hard."

Calcium deposits commonly appear as white film or small crushable white stones. They can clog sink and shower heads, washing machine hose screens, dishwashers, and eventually fill water heaters. If experiencing reduced flow at certain fixtures, check for calcium buildup by unscrewing faucet screens.

Water softeners offer a solution by replacing calcium or magnesium with sodium or potassium, eliminating deposits and extending appliance life. However, softeners require regular maintenance to function properly.