Bridgeview

Sources of municipal water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can pick up substances resulting from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agricultural activities, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally occurring or result from oil/gas production and mining

All water, including bottled varieties, reasonably contains at least minimal amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the USEPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

To ensure tap water safety, USEPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. Certain populations may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general public, including immunocompromised individuals (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly persons, and infants). These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding water consumption. USEPA/CDC guidelines on reducing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contamination risks are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Source Water Assessment: The Illinois EPA considers all surface water sources of community water susceptible to potential contamination issues.

1. Where is the office located and what are your hours?
   The billing office is located at 16 N. Main St. on the west side of the downtown square. Our doors are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though we accept phone calls (659-3361) beginning at 8 a.m.
2. What do I need to establish service?
   All customers must visit our office to complete a service application. Homeowners must provide ownership proof (warranty deed is acceptable) and photo ID (preferably a valid driver's license). Renters must provide a rent receipt or lease agreement, photo ID and applicable deposit. Deposit amounts vary. BUSINESSES MUST COMPLETE OUR SERVICE APPLICATION WITH VARYING DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS.
3. Are there fees to establish services?
   No fees apply when activating or establishing electric service for new residents. Transferring electric services for existing customers is also currently free. However, reconnection fees apply for accounts disconnected due to nonpayment. A $5 water activation fee applies when service is currently off at an existing residence. This applies to both new residents and existing residents transferring services. A $10 water activation fee applies when water has been turned off and restored under the same name. For new residential construction, water tap fees are $600 plus an $825 capacity fee for services through 3/4"; sewage tap fees are $325 plus a $1665 capacity fee. Capacity fee schedules for both water and sewer are available on our website.
4. How much is the deposit, and what about good credit references?
   Renters may avoid deposits with good payment history from previous utility providers or similar sources. Single-family homes within city limits with gas heat require $100 electric deposit, $35 water and $65 sewage ($200 total). Single-family homes within city limits with electric heat require $200 electric deposit, $35 water and $65 sewage ($300 total). Single-family homes outside city limits with electric heat only require $200 deposit. Single-family homes outside city limits with gas/propane/oil heat require $100 deposit. Apartment deposits follow the same formula: $100 for gas heat and $200 for all-electric units.
5. If I pay a deposit, can I get it back?
   Deposits can be refunded in two ways: Customers who maintain service and pay bills on time for 12 consecutive months receive complete refunds. Customers terminating service will have deposits applied to their final bill with any remaining balance mailed to their new address.
6. What payment methods do you accept?
   We accept cash, check, E-check and credit cards (E-Checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover - $3.75 fee per $500 convenience charge applies). We offer automatic withdrawal (PAP) from savings/checking accounts. We have a dropbox outside our front door and accept payments at our local Marsh Supermarket. You may also mail payments to our physical address (16 N. Main St.) or P.O. Box 578.
7. Can you explain the charges on my bill?
   Your meter is read approximately the same time monthly, typically maintaining the same due date. Current bills are due 17 days from the read date, while disconnection notices are due 15 days from billing date. Electric rates follow a tiered system with four different rate categories: A-Residential, B-Business, C-Commercial, and PPL (Industrial). B, C, and PPL rates are available upon request. The A-Residential rate includes a $4.00 minimum charge, with first 500 kWh at 0.058636 cents, next 1000 kWh at 0.046085 cents, and over 1,500 kWh at 0.037496 cents. All accounts with consumption include a "tracker" rate (energy adjustment fee) that reflects fluctuating electricity costs.