Carol Stream

The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 require all community water systems to provide customers with information about their water quality. This report fulfills this requirement by presenting water source details, sampling results, regulatory compliance information, and educational materials.

The Village of Carol Stream is dedicated to providing this information to residents. If you have questions after reviewing this report, please contact Ron Roehn, Superintendent of Operations, at (630) 871-6260. The Water Quality Report is also available on the Village's website at https://carolstre.am/2018CCR. Residents are welcome to attend Village Board Meetings held at 6:30pm on the first and third Monday of each month.

Carol Stream receives Lake Michigan water processed by the City of Chicago at the Jardine Water Treatment Facility, located north of Navy Pier on Chicago's lakefront. Lake Michigan serves as the water source for Chicago and numerous suburban communities, including Carol Stream.

The City of Chicago conducts testing for various unregulated contaminants and publishes results on their website at http://www.cityofchicago.org. The Village of Carol Stream purchases water through the DuPage Water Commission, which obtains it from Chicago and distributes it to member communities. The water is metered, pumped into the distribution system, and stored in elevated and ground facilities.

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

Lake Michigan is an excellent water source, but like all natural water sources, it can contain various types of contaminants including:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals from natural sources, urban runoff, industrial discharges, and agricultural activities
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that may occur naturally or result from oil and gas production

The Illinois EPA considers all surface water sources for community water supplies potentially vulnerable to contamination. Lake Michigan's offshore intakes are typically positioned far enough from shore to avoid coastal impacts, though contamination risks exist during wet-weather flows and water reversals. Shore intakes are highly susceptible to stormwater runoff, marinas, and shoreline sources due to groundwater flow toward the lake.

Throughout history, extraordinary measures have been taken to ensure safe drinking water in the Chicago area, including offshore cribs, interceptor sewers, the lock-and-dam system, and the city's Lakefront Zoning Ordinance. Today, water quality protection involves coordination between Chicago's Department of Water Management, the MWRDGC, and participation in the West Shore Water Producers Association.

Citizens should be aware that everyday urban activities can affect their water source. Efforts to improve awareness include identifying and stenciling stormwater drains within the watershed to highlight their connection to the lake, accompanied by educational initiatives to keep Lake Michigan a safe and reliable water source.

1. How do I appeal a parking citation? Treasury & Collections accepts parking ticket payments but doesn't handle issuance or appeals. Visit the City Clerk's Office in Room #209 or check their FAQs.
2. My property tax bill seems excessive. How can I appeal? Treasury & Collections processes tax payments but doesn't assess property values. Direct valuation questions to the Assessor's office in room 211 or review their FAQs.
3. How do I obtain the homeowner's Residential Exemption for my property tax bill? Apply for the homeowner's exemption at the Assessor's office (room 211). Additional information is available in their FAQs.
4. How can I get the resident trash exemption on my monthly water bill? Homeowners living in their properties who receive the homeowner's tax exemption may request the trash exemption by contacting Central Billing & Research at 617-466-4240 or visiting Room #217.
5. My unit is vacant. Can I request an exemption from monthly trash fees? Vacancy trash affidavits must be submitted monthly to the Central Billing & Research office. Forms are available online.
6. My water bill seems unusually high. Is my meter faulty? Meters rarely malfunction. Complete an inquiry form with our staff to verify if your meter is transmitting readings properly. If so, you may have an internal leak. Testing is available, with a $25 charge if the meter is functioning correctly.
7. I never received my tax/water bill. Why am I responsible for late fees? State law stipulates that failure to receive a payment notice doesn't affect the validity of the charge.
8. How can I avoid online payment fees? These fees are assessed by credit card companies and transaction processors, not added by the city. You may avoid charges by using your bank's online bill pay service rather than credit cards or processing services.